Mike Flanagan is directing a new take on “The Exorcist” and he has his star with Scarlett Johansson joining the cast …
It’s going to be Scarlett Johansson versus the devil when she stars in a new take on “The Exorcist” from writer and director Mike Flanagan.
The news was announced on Monday that Johansson was stepping into the lead role in the highly anticipated horror film from the creator behind series such as “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnights Mass.” Details on her role are being kept secret for now as well as any real details about what Flanagan has planned for this latest film set in the same universe as “The Exorcist” from 1972.
Flanagan’s film came together after “The Exorcist: Believer” from “Halloween Ends” director David Gordon Green failed to impress. Originally, Blumhouse and Universal planned on releasing three films in total with “The Exorcist: Believer” being the first but the movie received overwhelmingly negative responses but still made money with $137 million at the box office on a $30 million budget.
Still, “The Exorcist” franchise is an incredibly important property at Universal and now Flangan is being given the chance to reboot the series, although he’s stated previously that this movie isn’t a remake or a reboot but something different entirely.
“’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,” Flanagan said back in May 2024 when the film was first announced. “Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
Flanagan just recently wrapped up filming on his “Carrie” TV series based on the classic Stephen King novel with that show going to Prime Video.
Now the famed horror director will attempt to pull off another smash hit when he tackles “The Exorcist” with his latest movie — and he now has his star with Johansson, who was most recently seen leading “Jurassic World: Rebirth” with that movie earning more than $868 million at the box office.
“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,” Flanagan said on Monday.
“The Exorcist” film directed by Flanagan is set to shoot in New York City with production expected to begin soon.
