Quick Read
- Scarlett Johansson leads the cast in a new standalone ‘The Exorcist’ film.
- Mike Flanagan is writing and directing the project.
- The film is scheduled for theatrical release on March 12, 2027.
- The project aims to revitalize the brand following the underperformance of 2023’s ‘The Exorcist: Believer’.
Production Underway in New York
Production has officially commenced on a new, standalone entry in The Exorcist franchise, written and directed by horror specialist Mike Flanagan. First-look set photos captured in New York City confirm that filming is active, featuring lead actress Scarlett Johansson alongside a sprawling ensemble cast. The project, backed by Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek, is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 12, 2027.
Alongside Johansson, the production features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and John Leguizamo. The film also integrates several of Flanagan’s recurring creative collaborators, including Carla Gugino, Rahul Kohli, and Kate Siegel, reinforcing the director’s signature “Flanaverse” ensemble approach.
A Strategic Pivot for the Franchise
This project represents a critical pivot for the Exorcist brand. Following the 2023 release of The Exorcist: Believer, which garnered a 22% approval rating on review aggregators and underperformed commercially, the studio effectively canceled plans for a trilogy. Flanagan’s iteration is positioned not as a sequel to previous attempts, but as a distinct, standalone story within the universe.
For Scarlett Johansson, the project marks a rare return to the horror genre. While she is one of the highest-grossing performers in cinema history, her horror credits remain limited to earlier career roles in Eight-Legged Freaks and the 2013 A24 film Under the Skin. The casting signals a departure from traditional horror leads, pairing a major bankable star with a director whose career is defined by psychological horror and literary adaptations like Doctor Sleep.
The Stakes of the “Flanaverse” Integration
The success of this project will likely determine the future viability of The Exorcist as an active IP. The franchise has historically struggled to maintain consistency, with various sequels, prequels, and a short-lived television series failing to replicate the cultural impact of the 1973 original. By bringing in Flanagan—a director known for visual sophistication and character-driven tension—the studio is attempting to shift the franchise away from the direct-sequel model toward a more auteur-focused approach. Whether this “radical reimagining” can reset audience expectations remains the central question for the 2027 release.