Scarlett Johansson stars in Mike Flanagan’s ‘Exorcist’ reimagining. Universal invested $400 million in the rights. Production begins in New York City.
Scarlett Johansson stars in Mike Flanagan’s remake of The Exorcist. Flanagan is writing, directing and producing the new film, which is described as a “radical new take” on the original.
“Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always seem authentic and realistic, whether in genre films or summer blockbusters. I couldn’t be happier that she is starring in this ‘Exorcist’ film,” Flanagan said, according to Variety. The director is best known for “Doctor Sleep” and “The Life of Chuck”.
Great expectations
The remake has big shoes to fill: The original film “The Exorcist,” directed by William Friedkin, was a commercial success, grossing $441 million worldwide and earning 10 Oscar nominations. Published in 1973, the work is about a mother (Ellen Burstyn) who commissions two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism on her demon-possessed 12-year-old daughter (Linda Blair).
Editorial recommendations
The rights cost almost half a billion
Universal, for which Flanagan is directing the film, bought the rights to the “Exorcist” trilogy in 2021 for $400 million, Variety reported. The first attempt, “The Exorcist: Believer” from 2023, did not yet succeed in starting a franchise. The film, which re-starred Burstyn as Chris MacNeil and introduced several new characters, grossed $136 million worldwide – a success that wasn’t enough to spark interest in sequels, according to Variety.
The upcoming “Exorcist” is said to be set in the same universe as the 1973 film and is not a sequel to “Believer.” Details about the plot and other actors have not yet been confirmed. Filming takes place in New York City.
Johansson was recently seen in a Universal franchise: “Jurassic World Rebirth” grossed $868 million worldwide in summer 2025.