Mike Flanagan’s new take on the Exorcist franchise is generating excitement as Scarlett Johansson has been confirmed as part of the star-studded cast. Alongside Johansson, actors Jacobi Jupe and Diane Lane have also signed on for this fresh entry, produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek, and Universal Pictures. Details remain scarce, with no official title or plot information disclosed, but the involvement of such talent underscores the project’s ambition.
New Film Moves Away from Previous Exorcist Trilogy Plans
The upcoming movie is not a continuation of David Gordon Green’s Exorcist: Believer, which was originally intended to begin a trilogy but failed critically and commercially. Despite Universal Pictures’ $400 million franchise acquisition, the prior trilogy concept will be abandoned in favor of Flanagan’s new direction, which aims to revitalize the brand and rebuild audience confidence.
Diane Lane’s Recent Work and Current Projects
Diane Lane, now joining the cast, has recently taken on more television roles in series such as Y: The Last Man, Extrapolations, and A Man In Full. Last year, she starred in the dark comedy Anniversary alongside Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, and Zoey Deutch. In addition to the Exorcist film, she will appear in Brad Anderson’s upcoming thriller Moral Capacity with Dacre Montgomery, Sofia Boutella, and Tim Robbins.
Production Plans and Future Releases
Production for the new Exorcist movie is expected to begin soon in New York City, with a theatrical release date set for March 12, 2027. The timing is unusual as it does not align with the traditional horror-focused Halloween season. Fans anticipating more from director Mike Flanagan can look forward to his Stephen King adaptation of Carrie premiering on Prime Video later this year.
Significance of Johansson’s Involvement and Franchise Prospects
Scarlett Johansson’s addition signals a strategic move to attract wide audiences through star power. Along with the returning actors and fresh talents like Jacobi Jupe, the film attempts to distance itself from previous setbacks in the franchise. As the project moves forward, further casting announcements and plot revelations are expected to build anticipation and clarify Flanagan’s vision for this new chapter.
“One of the special aspects of Mike Flanagan projects is his tendency to constantly work with the same group of actors. From Hush to The Fall Of The House Of Usher to The Life Of Chuck, the writer/director has developed a kind of troupe of performers who go with him from production to production. It’s been a wonderful thing to see this special collaboration grow over the last decade – but in the case of Flanagan’s upcoming Exorcist movie, it appears that he is making a big swinging for star power: the cast already includes Scarlett Johansson and Hamnet standout Jacobi Jupe, and we have the news today that the great Diane Lane has signed on as well.” – Source
“The collection of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek, and Universal Pictures have made this new casting official via press release. The only downside is that the announcement continues the trend of secrecy surrounding the project, as there is no information made available regarding the role the Man of Steel actress will be playing or what the movie is about (we still don’t even have a title yet).” – Source
“Plot-wise, the only thing that has been confirmed about the film is that it is not going to be a direct sequel to David Gordon Green’s The Exorcist: Believer. That feature was originally planned as the start of a trilogy, but that idea died when the movie was roasted by critics and bombed in theaters (a particularly tough development given that Universal Pictures had paid $400 million in acquiring the franchise rights, per The New York Times). The Mike Flanagan-developed project is a pivot that hopes to change the perception of the massive investment.” – Source
“In the last few years, Diane Lane’s presence has principally been on the small screen, as she has had roles in shows/miniseries including Y: The Last Man, Extrapolations, Feud and A Man In Full, but last year she starred alongside Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, McKenna Grace, Dylan O’Brien and Zoey Deutch in the dark comedy Anniversary. In addition to the untitled Exorcist film, she is also part of the cast of Brad Anderson’s upcoming Moral Capacity with Dacre Montgomery, Sofia Boutella and Tim Robbins.” – Source
“We’ll hopefully start to get more information about the latest Exorcist film as it continues to build out its cast and we get closer to the start of production – which is soon slated to begin in New York City. The movie is currently set to be released in theaters on March 12, 2027 (why it’s not aiming for spooky season isn’t entirely clear), but for those of you who need a Mike Flanagan fix sooner than that, I’ll happily remind you that the filmmaker’s limited series adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie for Prime Video is on pace to be released later this year.” – Source
