‘The Exorcist’ Reboot Casts Laurence Fishburne Alongside Scarlett Johansson

Mike Flanagan’s new movie, The Exorcist, has added Laurence Fishburne to its cast. He’ll be acting alongside Scarlett Johansson in the film, according to a report in Variety. The movie is a fresh take on the classic horror franchise that began with William Friedkin’s iconic 1973 adaptation, and Johansson’s involvement already generated a lot of buzz. Fishburne’s addition suggests the production is aiming for a high level of quality and promises a truly frightening experience.

The report indicates details about the film’s plot are still being kept secret, but it’s already known that this new movie from director Mike Flanagan won’t continue the story from The Exorcist: Believer. Flanagan has hinted this film will be exceptionally frightening, aiming for the same level of horror as the original Exorcist. Alongside Laurence Fishburne, the cast includes Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor (who previously collaborated with Flanagan on The Life of Chuck), and Jacobi Jupe (Hamnet).

Mike Flanagan is planning to start filming his new Exorcist movie in New York later this year. Universal Pictures is currently aiming for a March 2027 release in theaters. Flanagan is familiar with continuing established horror stories, having previously directed Doctor Sleep, a sequel to both The Shining film and Stephen King’s novel, skillfully blending elements of both. Fans will be eager to see how he crafts a unique story for this Exorcist sequel while still honoring the original’s powerful and spiritual themes.

‘The Exorcist’ Horror Franchise Is Trying to Find New Life With Mike Flanagan


Warner Bros.

The Exorcist franchise has faced some difficulties recently, particularly after the release of The Exorcist: Believer, directed by David Gordon Green. Although Green had previously achieved success reviving the Halloween series, Believer didn’t perform well at the box office and received largely negative feedback from both critics and audiences. Plans for a new trilogy, which Believer was intended to kick off, were ultimately scrapped by Universal due to the film’s poor reception.

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Now that Mike Flanagan is directing a new Exorcist movie, it remains to be seen whether it will kickstart a revival of the franchise or stand alone as a film comparable to the original. Flanagan has been working on several projects, including a Carrie series for Amazon Prime and the script for Clayface, a horror film directed by James Watkins and endorsed by James Gunn as part of the new DC Universe. With Laurence Fishburne joining the cast, the film is now assembling a strong ensemble, aiming to deliver a truly frightening experience.

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2026-02-06 00:32