Scarlett Johansson JC Olivera/Variety/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text Scarlett Johansson will star in Mike Flanagan's "fresh, bold" take on The Exorcist. Blumhouse and Universal are behind the latest attempt to revive the horror franchise, which follows the companies' ill-fated effort to launch a franchise with 2023's The Exorcist: Believer. Flanagan wrote the script and is directing and producing the new feature that is not a remake nor a sequel but set in the Exorcist "universe," whatever that entails. The original Exorcist, based on the novel by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, focused on the demonic possession of a young girl and the priests that try to save her. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars. The various follow-ups mostly featured stories centered on the girl (now grown-up), the back stories of the priests or other demonic cases detectives from the first movie investigated. Related Stories Movies 'Grinch' Turns 25: Taylor Momsen on "Otherworldly" Reunion With Jim Carrey and How the Film Led to Career Change Movies 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Trailer Introduces Brie Larson's Rosalina and Benny Safdie's Bowser Jr. "The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold and terrifying within its universe," is how Flanagan described the project when his involvement was announced in May 2024. At the time, David Robinson, chairman and CEO of Exorcist rights holder Morgan Creek, said, "I think his vision for this franchise is going to stun audiences worldwide." Details on the take are being kept strapped to the bed. Among the producers on the project is Trevor Macy, via Intrepid Pictures. Flanagan, who is known for directing Stephen King adaptations such as Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game as well as creating TV shows such as Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House, is producing via his Red Room Pictures banner. Johansson last starred in Universal's Jurassic World: Rebirth, which grossed over $868 million worldwide and proved that the studio's long-standing dino movie series still had the chomps when it came to attracting audiences. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up RuPaul's Drag Race Adam Shankman's RuPaul-Led Action Comedy Gets Title, Premiere Date (Exclusive) Rebel Wilson 'Tinsel Town' Review: Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson Charm in an Overstuffed but Winsome Holiday Comedy Udo Kier Udo Kier, German Actor in 'My Own Private Idaho' and Lots of Lars von Trier Films, Dies at 81 Heat Vision Sony Lands Movie Rights to James Islington's 'Hierarchy' Fantasy Book Series (Exclusive) Oscars Why Oscar Think Pieces Need to Go music Lil Dicky Heads to Big Screen: Dave Burd's Animated Movie in the Works at DreamWorks (Exclusive) RuPaul's Drag Race Adam Shankman's RuPaul-Led Action Comedy Gets Title, Premiere Date (Exclusive) Rebel Wilson 'Tinsel Town' Review: Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson Charm in an Overstuffed but Winsome Holiday Comedy Udo Kier Udo Kier, German Actor in 'My Own Private Idaho' and Lots of Lars von Trier Films, Dies at 81 Heat Vision Sony Lands Movie Rights to James Islington's 'Hierarchy' Fantasy Book Series (Exclusive) Oscars Why Oscar Think Pieces Need to Go music Lil Dicky Heads to Big Screen: Dave Burd's Animated Movie in the Works at DreamWorks (Exclusive)