I’m very excited to see what Mike Flanagan has planned for his story in the world of “The Exorcist,” and we now have the first big casting news, revealing that Scarlett Johansson has signed on to play the lead role:
From the Official Press Release: “Academy Award®-nominated actress Scarlett Johansson will play the lead role in director Mike Flanagan’s radical new take on The Exorcist for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment for Universal Pictures. The film is set to shoot in New York City.
Johansson is a Tony and BAFTA-winning actress, producer, and director. Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, which she produced with her partners at These Pictures, had its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and North American premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Johansson received her first two Academy Award nominations, for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story and Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, respectively, becoming the twelfth performer to be nominated for two Oscars in the same year. Her other notable acting credits include Jurassic World Rebirth, Asteroid City, Fly Me to the Moon, Black Widow, Lost in Translation, Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Lucy, Under the Skin, Ghost in the Shell, Isle of Dogs, Sing, Sing 2, and Her.
“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,” said Flanagan.
Johansson is represented by CAA, Yorn Levine LLC, and True Public Relations.
The film will tell an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe and is not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer. It is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment and Flanagan, who will also write and direct via his Red Room Pictures banner. Alexandra Magistro will also executive produce for Red Room Pictures. David Robinson produces for Morgan Creek Entertainment. Jason Blum and Ryan Turek serve as producer and executive producer for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.
Flanagan is the visionary writer and director whose latest film, The Life of Chuck, recently won the coveted People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and continues to generate significant awards buzz. He most recently wrapped production on the Amazon MGM Studios TV adaptation of Stephen King’s debut novel, Carrie.
He is also the filmmaker behind the acclaimed features Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game, as well as the creator of the hit series Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher. Flanagan is represented by WME, VanderKloot Law and Bespoke Publicity.
About Morgan Creek Entertainment
Morgan Creek Entertainment, led by President David Robinson, continues to build on a library of 60+ films with new projects including The Exorcist with Blumhouse/Universal Pictures written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Dead Ringers with Amazon/Annapurna Pictures starring Rachel Weisz, and Hulu’s upcoming series with Akiva Goldsman starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, based on the cult classic Stay Tuned (originally written by Tom Parker and Jim Jennewein), where Robinson also serves as Executive Producer.
About Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
Blumhouse-Atomic Monster is the home of horror across film, television and gaming, responsible for nearly $10 Billion in worldwide box office, and has represented nearly 50% of the horror market in the last 10 years. The company has produced nearly 250 movies and series, including Halloween, The Purge, The Black Phone, Annabelle, Paranormal Activity, The Exorcist, Insidious, M3GAN, Fi