Scarlett Johansson Roped In for New ‘Exorcist’ Movie

Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson is set to enter the world of horror with a new “Exorcist” film being developed by Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

The upcoming project will exist within the same universe as the classic 1973 film but will not serve as a sequel to “Believer.” Plot details and the rest of the cast are yet to be announced. Filming is scheduled to begin in New York City, according to Variety.

Mike Flanagan — known for “Doctor Sleep” and “The Life of Chuck” — will write, direct and produce the new installment, which is being described as a “radical new take” on the franchise.
“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,” Flanagan said.

The original 1973 “Exorcist,” directed by William Friedkin, told the story of a mother seeking the help of two Catholic priests to save her demonically possessed daughter. The landmark film earned $441 million worldwide and received 10 Academy Award nominations.

Johansson recently contributed to another major Universal franchise with “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which grossed $868 million globally. An Oscar nominee for “Marriage Story” and “Jojo Rabbit,” she also made her directorial debut with this year’s “Eleanor the Great,” a feel-good dramedy starring June Squibb.

As one of the highest-grossing actresses in Hollywood, Johansson holds a British Academy Film Award and a Tony Award, along with two Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations.

She will next be heard in Brad Bird’s “Ray Gunn,” starring alongside Sam Rockwell, Jamie Costa and John Ratzenberger. Johansson also has “Paper Tiger” lined up with Adam Driver and Miles Teller, a story about two brothers chasing the American Dream who become entangled with the Russian mafia, threatening their family and testing their loyalty.

--With inputs from IANS