Scarlett Johansson To Star In Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist Movie

Scarlett Johansson is joining another huge franchise. This time around, the Oscar nominee is turning to horror to make her mark on The Exorcist. Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions have set “The Avengers” actress to star in a new installment of the long-running series, which is set to be directed by modern horror master Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “Doctor Sleep”).

Johansson is set to star in a new, as-yet-untitled “Exorcist” film, which Flanagan is writing and directing. David Gordon Green exited the franchise after The Exorcist: Believer was not delivered in 2023. Green, who directed the most recent Halloween trilogy, was supposed to helm a new Exorcist trilogy as well, with The Exorcist: Deceiver originally planned for release this year. But that’s not how things worked.

Instead, the studio changed creative directions in light of the harsh response to “Believer.” Now, Flanagan’s “radical new film” will star in one of the biggest box office draws in cinematic history for Johansson, coming off the massive success of “Jurassic World Rebirth” this summer. In a statement, Flanagan said:

“Scarlett is a fantastic actress whose captivating performances are always grounded and realistic, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this Exorcist film.”

Johansson is best known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but her career has spanned decades, from acclaimed dramas like “Lost in Translation” to sci-fi blockbusters like “Lucy.” Her addition to the new mystery “Exorcist” movie indicates the studio’s desire to expand. It’s unclear at the moment who Johansson will play in this latest installment.

Plot details remain confidential. It’s only been made clear that this won’t be a sequel to “Believer,” it will be something else entirely. Flanagan previously said he was “terrified” to take on The Exorcist, while also admitting at the time that “the series has had its ups and downs”. This would be a fair assessment of the situation.

Although “Believer” grossed $137 million at the box office, it suffered a major downturn critically. That’s largely because Universal struck a $400 million deal with Morgan Creek in 2021 to produce a trilogy of “Exorcist” films. In short, the studio needs big hits given the size of the deal.

Alexandra Magistro and Ryan Turek are on board the new film as executive producers, with Jason Blum and Flanagan producing alongside Morgan Creek’s David Robinson.

The original “The Exorcist” remains one of the most revered horror films of all time. Although not all parts lived up to it, “The Exorcist III” showed that good parts are possible in this universe. The short-lived TV show has its fans too. Flanagan, whose credits include films like “Gerald’s Game” and the criminally unseen “Hush,” has proven himself to be a very skilled storyteller. If anyone can turn this ship around, it’s him

The new “Exorcist” movie still doesn’t have a release date, but stay tuned.