Scarlett Johansson Cast in New Exorcist Film

Scarlett Johansson has been cast to star in an upcoming film in the Exorcist franchise, directed and written by Mike Flanagan, marking a fresh approach to the iconic horror series following the underperformance of its most recent installment.

The project, produced by Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Flanagan's Red Room Pictures banner, will present an all-new story set within the universe of the original 1973 film. It is not a sequel to 2023's The Exorcist: Believer, directed by David Gordon Green, which was intended as the start of a trilogy but failed to generate sufficient box office success or critical acclaim to continue those plans. That film earned approximately $136 million worldwide against a reported budget that included high acquisition costs for the franchise rights, leading Universal Pictures to pivot toward a new direction.

Flanagan, known for his atmospheric horror works such as the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House and films like Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, expressed enthusiasm about Johansson's involvement. "Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from...