Entertainment
Scarlett Johansson to Headline Mike Flanagan's New Vision for The Exorcist
In a major move for the iconic Exorcist franchise, Scarlett Johansson is set to lead the next film from writer and director Mike Flanagan, Marking a high profile creative reset for the series. The new installment comes as Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgen Creek aim to revive momentum following the lackluster response to The Exorcist: Believer in 2023.
Flanagan, regarded for his critically acclaimed work in horror, praised the casting decision, calling Johansson "a brilliant actress whose captivating performance always feel grounded and real." as quoted by Deadline.
The filmmaker will write, direct and produce the project under his Red Room Pictures banner.
A Strategic Franchise Reboot After Believer's Disappointing Box Office
The decision to bring Johansson onboard reflects the studio's effort to reenergize a brand that struggled with its most recent release. Believer collected $65.5 million domestically and 136.2 million worldwide, results that fell short of expectations after Universal, Peacock and Blumhouse acquired the rights for a reported $400 million in 2021.
Industry insiders say the studio evaluated several A-list actors before finalizing Johansson, whose recent success with Jurassic World: Rebirth -earning nearly $869 million globally- further positioned her as a strong choice to anchor another major franchise revival.
Scheduling is being arranged around her upcoming commitments, but the new Exorcist project is expected to be one of her next films to enter production. The role also marks Johansson's first significant step into full-scale horror territory.
Not a Believer Sequel: A New Story Inside The Exorcist Universe
Deadline reports that Flanagan's film will not continue the storyline from The Exorcist: Believer. Instead, it will introduce an all-new narrative within the established universe- opening the door to fresh characters, new mythology and a redefined approach to the franchise's classic themes of demonic possession.
The film is being produced by:
- Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
- Morgan Creek Entertainment
- Red Room Pictures
Jason Blum will produce, with Ryan Turek executive-producing for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Alexandra Magistro will executive-produce for Red Room Pictures, with Morgan Creek's David Robinson also producing.
Scarlett Johansson Expands Her Creative Range With First Major Horror Lead
The Exorcist casting continues a busy period for Johansson. She recently made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and will soon appear in James Gray's Paper Tiger, starring alongside Miles Teller and Adam Driver.
Throuhout her career, Johansson has collected numerous accolades, including, a Tony Award, a BAFTA, and dual Academy Award nominations in 2019, a rare achievement shared by only a handful of performers.
A New Era for a Legendary Horror Franchise
With Mike Flanagan steering the creative direction and Scarlett Johansson anchoring the cast, the next Exorcist film is shaping up to be one of the genre's biggest upcoming projects. More details on story, additional casting and production timelines are expected to be released in the months ahead.
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