Universal Pictures and Peacock invested approximately $400 million to acquire distribution rights for a trilogy of sequels to the 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist. The upcoming installments were originally to be produced by Blumhouse Productions alongside director David Gordon Green, who had previously helmed a successful Halloween sequel trilogy. After the release of The Exorcist: Believer in October 2023, which earned $137 million on a $30 million budget but received largely negative reviews, plans for the sequel The Exorcist: Deceiver and a third follow-up shifted, leading to Green’s departure from the project. The focus then turned toward a new direction under writer and director Mike Flanagan, who is now developing a fresh take on the franchise with a release scheduled for March 12, 2027, featuring Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.
Changes in Direction and Key Casting Updates
Following unsatisfactory box office performance and audience response to The Exorcist: Believer, Universal and Blumhouse reconsidered the original sequel plans. Mike Flanagan, known for his work on horror adaptations, was brought on to revitalize the series with a distinct vision. While Flanagan’s film missed its initial 2026 release target, production is set to move forward aiming for a spring 2027 debut.
The project has attracted notable talent. Scarlett Johansson, identified as the star of the new Exorcist installment, now shares the cast with acclaimed actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who recently collaborated with Flanagan on The Life of Chuck, an adaptation of a Stephen King story. Additional cast members include Jacobi Jupe, known for Hamnet, and Diane Lane from Let Him Go. Early speculation suggests Jupe may portray the son of Johansson’s character, although character specifics remain unrevealed.
Story Details Remain Confidential Amid Speculation
Information about the storyline and characters in Flanagan’s Exorcist film is being deliberately withheld. Industry rumors, however, point to an evolving casting process prior to Johansson’s selection. According to Jeff Sneider of The InSneider:
“after Flanagan was instructed to attach a movie star as the lead of the new Exorcist movie, he reached out to Angelina Jolie, who has been looking for a big comeback vehicle. Meanwhile, Universal gauged the interest of fellow Oscar winner Charlize Theron, who is part of its Fast and Furious franchise as well as the starry ensemble of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which the studio will release next summer. Ultimately, Flanagan and Universal decided to cast Johansson, the star of the studio’s Jurassic World franchise and its hit Sing franchise.” – Jeff Sneider, Industry Reporter
Another unconfirmed report from World of Reel suggests the film might be titled The Exorcist: Martyrs and that Johansson could be playing a small-town rookie detective confronting a case involving unimaginable evil:
“a small-town rookie detective who takes on a case involving inconceivable darkness.” – Source Unknown
These details remain speculative, and it is unclear how closely the final film will align with these rumors. The possibility of a rookie detective role for Johansson has been met with skepticism due to the character’s implied experience level compared to Johansson’s age range, highlighting uncertainty in character development.
Production Companies and Filming Plans
The new installment is a collaboration among Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Mike Flanagan’s Red Room Pictures. Alexandra Magistro serves as the executive producer from Red Room, while Morgan Creek’s David Robinson is producing. For Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Jason Blum acts as producer with Ryan Turek as executive producer. Filming is expected to commence soon in New York, continuing the franchise’s tradition of high-quality production.
Future Outlook for the Franchise
The involvement of Mike Flanagan, a director with a strong reputation in horror, combined with accomplished actors such as Scarlett Johansson and Chiwetel Ejiofor, establishes cautious optimism regarding the franchise’s revival. The official release in March 2027 signals that Universal is betting on a reinvigorated Scarlett Johansson Exorcist movie to reengage audiences and restore confidence after mixed reactions to the previous sequel. Fans of the franchise and horror genre will be closely watching the project’s development, hoping that this new iteration will bring innovation while respecting the iconic legacy of The Exorcist.
