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Fifty years on from the original, Scarlett Johansson is preparing to step into one of cinema’s most storied universes, leading what’s being billed as a “radical new take” on The Exorcist. While she’s no stranger to the action, drama and comedy genres, this new role marks the actress’ first foray into the world of horror—and what better start than a film that once redefined horror itself?
The original film, released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, set the benchmark by which all possession films are measured. From Linda Blair’s unforgettable head-spinning turn to the foggy arrival of Lankester Merrin in the night, the film—based on the 1971 book of the same name—became both a critical and commercial phenomenon. With $441 million in global earnings and 10 Oscar nominations, it proved that the horror genre could go far beyond box-office scares.
This new chapter comes from Mike Flanagan, the maestro of slow-burn dread whose work on The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep has made him a modern legend of the genre.
Now writing, directing and producing this latest instalment, Flanagan says he “couldn’t be happier” to have Johansson on board, praising her instinct for performances that feel “grounded and real.”
Universal famously spent $400 million USD in 2021 for the rights to craft a new Exorcist trilogy, though its first attempt, 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, didn’t receive rave reviews.
This new film won’t be a sequel to Believer but will exist within the same universe as the 1973 masterpiece, telling an entirely new story. While details are tightly under wraps, filming is set to begin in New York City.
