Scarlett Johansson is becoming a member of yet one more large franchise. This time, the Oscar-nominee is heading to the world of horror to place her stamp on “The Exorcist.” Common Footage and Blumhouse Productions have tapped “The Avengers” actress to star in a brand new entry within the long-running sequence, which is ready to be directed by fashionable horror grasp Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill Home,” “Physician Sleep”).
Johansson is ready to star within the as-of-yet untitled new “Exorcist” film, which Flanagan is writing and directing. David Gordon Inexperienced exited the franchise after “The Exorcist: Believer” under-delivered in 2023. Inexperienced, who directed the newest “Halloween” trilogy, was presupposed to helm a brand new “Exorcist” trilogy as properly, with “The Exorcist: Deceiver” initially deliberate for a launch this 12 months. However that is not how issues panned out.
As an alternative, the studio shifted inventive instructions in gentle of a tough response to “Believer.” Now, Flanagan’s “radical new take” will star one of many greatest field workplace attracts in cinema historical past in Johansson, who’s coming off of the huge success of this summer time’s “Jurassic World Rebirth.” In an announcement, Flanagan had this to say about it:
“Scarlett is a superb actress whose charming performances all the time really feel grounded and actual, from style movies to summer time blockbusters, and I could not be happier to have her be part of this Exorcist movie.”
The brand new Exorcist film is lining up main expertise
Johansson is finest recognized for her function as Black Widow within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however her profession spans many years, starting from acclaimed dramas resembling “Misplaced in Translation” to sci-fi blockbusters like “Lucy.” Including her to this mysterious new “Exorcist” film indicators the studio’s want to go huge. It is not clear presently who Johansson will play on this newest installment.
Plot particulars stay firmly underneath wraps. It is solely been made clear that this would possibly not be a sequel to “Believer,” somewhat one thing else completely. Flanagan beforehand mentioned that he is “terrified” to tackle “The Exorcist,” whereas additionally admitting on the time that “the franchise has had its ups and downs.” That may be a good evaluation of the scenario.
“Believer,” regardless of making $137 million on the field workplace, was a serious down, critically talking. That is in no small half as a result of Common made a $400 million take care of Morgan Creek in 2021 to provide a trilogy of “Exorcist” films. Briefly, the studio wants huge hits given the dimensions of the deal.
Alexandra Magistro and Ryan Turek are on board the brand new film as government producers, with Jason Blum and Flanagan producing alongside David Robinson of Morgan Creek.
The unique “The Exorcist” stays one of the crucial revered horror films ever made. Whereas not the entire sequels have lived as much as it, “The Exorcist III” confirmed that good sequels are doable on this universe. The short-lived TV present additionally has its followers. Flanagan, whose credit embody the likes of “Gerald’s Sport” and the criminally underseen “Hush,” has proved himself a really adept style storyteller. If anybody is able to turning this ship round, it is him.
The brand new “Exorcist” film stays with out a launch date, however keep tuned.
