Scarlett Johansson to Star in Mike Flanagan's New Reimagining of The Exorcist

Scarlett Johansson is set to headline director Mike Flanagan's bold new reimagining of "The Exorcist". The film, produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment for Universal Pictures, will begin production in New York City, signaling a fresh, ambitious chapter for one of horror's most iconic universes.

Johansson, an Academy Award® nominee and a Tony and BAFTA winner, continues to build out an impressive portfolio as an actress, producer, and now director. Her feature directorial debut, "Eleanor the Great", which she produced alongside her partners at These Pictures, made its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival before heading to the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival for its North American debut.

She also made awards-season history several years earlier when she received dual Oscar nominations in the same year for her performances in Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story" and Taika Waititi's "Jojo Rabbit", becoming only the twelfth performer ever to achieve that distinction. Her wide-ranging filmography includes recent titles such as "Jurassic World Rebirth", "Asteroid City", and "Fly Me to the Moon", as well as beloved staples of her career: "Lost in Translation", "Her", "Under the Skin", "Lucy", "Avengers: Endgame", "Avengers: Infinity War", "Black Widow", and acclaimed voice roles in "Isle of Dogs", "Sing", and "Sing 2".

Flanagan expressed his enthusiasm for the casting, noting Johansson's ability to bring emotional authenticity to every genre she touches. "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," the director said.

The film is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, now a powerhouse unified under the leadership of Jason Blum and James Wan, and Morgan Creek Entertainment, long-time stewards of "The Exorcist" property. Flanagan will write and direct through his Red Room Pictures banner. Alexandra Magistro serves as executive producer for Red Room, with David Robinson producing for Morgan Creek Entertainment. Jason Blum and Ryan Turek will produce and executive produce, respectively, for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

Flanagan has a reputation for being a distinctive horror storyteller, blending character-driven drama with grounded supernatural terror. His latest film, "The Life of Chuck", recently emerged as a major awards-season contender after winning the prestigious People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

He also recently wrapped production on the Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel "Carrie", a project that furthers his long-standing creative relationship with King's body of work.

Morgan Creek Entertainment, led by President David Robinson, continues to grow its catalog of more than 60 films with a range of new projects. In addition to "The Exorcist", the company is producing "Dead Ringers" with Amazon/Annapurna Pictures starring Rachel Weisz, and Hulu's upcoming series based on the cult comedy "Stay Tuned", where Robinson also serves as executive producer.

Blumhouse-Atomic Monster remains one of the most influential forces in modern horror, responsible for nearly $10 billion in global box office revenue and close to half of the horror market share over the past decade. The company's extensive filmography includes "Halloween", "The Purge", "The Black Phone", "Annabelle", "Paranormal Activity", "Insidious", "Five Nights at Freddy's", the "Conjuring" Universe, and of course "The Exorcist". Beyond film and television, the company continues to expand into gaming and experiential entertainment, including partnerships with Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights and immersive digital worlds such as the Blumhouse HorrorVerse on Meta Quest.