Scarlett Johansson has officially signed on to star in a fresh, new take on “The Exorcist,” directed by horror maestro Mike Flanagan.
Breaking from her iconic and beloved role in the Marvel cinematic universe, she is set to show a acting range, according to Deadline.
Flanagan, known for genre hits like “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass,” is writing and directing the untitled project through his Red Room Pictures banner.
The flick is going to be an all-new film in the The Exorcist universe — not a sequel to “The Exorcist: Believer” (2023).
In a statement with Deadline, Flanagan praised Johansson.
“Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this ‘Exorcist’ film,” he stated.
What Makes This Exorcist Project Different
It’s been years in the making for this type of film. Flanagan previously mentioned how he felt about the film in an interview with Bloody Disgusting.
“But I’ve always felt that there’s no point in going into a franchise or into a property that monolithic unless there’s something new you can bring. I chased ‘The Exorcist’ very aggressively because I was convinced I had something that I could add,” he told the outlet.
He added, “This is an opportunity to do something that I believe has never been done within the franchise — something that honors what came before it but isn’t built on nostalgia. I really just saw an opportunity to make the scariest movie I’ve ever made. I know expectations are high. No one’s more intimidated than I am.”
When it was announced in May 2024 that Flanagan would direct the film, he expressed his happiness at the honor.
“‘The Exorcist’ is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold and terrifying within its universe. Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
Why Johansson’s Casting Matters
Johansson is no stranger to Hollywood blockbusters, but she hasn’t done much in traditional horror — which makes this move all the more intriguing.
Her involvement gives the project significant star power, and her reputation for strong, grounded acting aligns closely with Flanagan’s vision for a deeply character-driven horror film.
Deadline reported “that scheduling had to be worked out with a couple of upcoming projects but that this film will likely be next on her docket to shoot.”
