Two-time Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson will star in Blumhouse and Universal's brand new Exorcist movie.

Described as a “radical new take” on the iconic horror franchise, the film will be helmed by Mike Flanagan, writer and director of The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep (2019). Plot details remain under wraps, but the new film will tell an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe.

“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,” said Flanagan.

Johansson's casting shows clear ambition from the studios, who are looking to revive the franchise after 2023's The Exorcist: Believer bombed both critically and commercially. The film amassed a disappointing total of $136.2 million worldwide, and halted plans for a reported trilogy from writer-director, David Gordon Green.

Deadline reports that the studios had “taken meetings with a number of top-tier talent”, but felt like Johansson was the perfect fit for the project. The outlet also reports that the actress was on board for the relaunch after meeting Mike Flanagan and studio producers. Johansson is best known for playing the role of Black Widow in the MCU, and recently starred in the franchise relaunching Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025).

Speaking in a previous interview, Flanagan spoke more about the project, saying, “This is an opportunity to do something that I believe has never been done within the franchise—something that honours what came before it but isn't built on nostalgia. I really just saw an opportunity to make the scariest movie I've ever made. I know expectations are high. No one's more intimidated than I am.”