Scarlett Johansson Tapped for Lead Role in Mike Flanagan's New 'Exorcist' Film

Actress Scarlett Johansson has officially secured the starring role in Mike Flanagan’s upcoming project, which promises a completely fresh take on the iconic Exorcist franchise. Director Flanagan confirmed the casting news, signaling a significant creative pivot following the disappointing performance of the 2023 installment, The Exorcist: Believer, which led to the cancellation of its previously announced trilogy plans.

Flanagan, taking on both writing and directing duties, has stated his ambition is to craft what he calls the most terrifying film he has ever undertaken. This new feature will introduce an entirely original narrative set within the Exorcist universe, deliberately avoiding any direct story connections to the prior films. For Johansson, known globally for blockbusters like The Avengers series and dramatic roles in films such as Marriage Story, this marks her first leading performance in a pure horror genre piece, although she has prior experience in genre cinema, notably the 2013 film Under the Skin.

Securing an actress of Johansson’s caliber lends substantial weight to the production, underscoring the serious commitment from the studios involved, specifically Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. This collaboration highlights the high expectations placed upon this reboot effort. The project is being helmed by Flanagan through his company, Red Room Pictures, though principal photography has been temporarily postponed until he concludes his commitments on the series adaptation of Carrie.

Filming for this new iteration is slated to take place in New York City. Johansson, who recently premiered her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, is now returning to darker subject matter. The film is being developed under the banner of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, in partnership with Morgan Creek Entertainment and Flanagan’s Red Room Pictures.

The rights to the Exorcist series were initially acquired by Universal and Blumhouse back in July 2021. This acquisition involved an investment nearing $400 million, earmarked for the development of a planned trilogy rooted in the original 1971 source material. The underwhelming box office results of The Exorcist: Believer, which grossed $136.2 million globally, prompted Universal to pull the plug on the planned sequel, The Exorcist: Deceiver, and reassess the entire revival strategy for the franchise.

Mike Flanagan, whose directorial credits include Doctor Sleep and acclaimed television series like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, is determined to forge a radically new path. His stated objective is to evoke genuine, deep-seated fear in the audience, moving beyond reliance on simple nostalgia or callbacks to previous installments. This strategic shift suggests a commitment to delivering a high-caliber, frightening cinematic experience that stands on its own merits.