Hollywood is buzzing as Scarlett Johansson officially steps into the world of demonic horror. Universal and Blumhouse are rebooting The Exorcist franchise once again, and this time, the fresh start comes with two major forces: the globally adored Johansson and the horror mastermind Mike Flanagan. This new Exorcist movie promises a bold story, a fresh direction, and the scariest experience Flanagan has ever created—according to him.
In this article, we break down everything: the cast, the story direction, the reboot strategy, Mike Flanagan’s vision, Universal’s box-office expectations, and how Johansson’s casting could change the franchise forever.
Scarlett Johansson Takes the Lead in the New Exorcist Reboot
Universal and Blumhouse have officially confirmed that Scarlett Johansson will play the lead role in the upcoming Exorcist reboot movie. This decision is already generating massive excitement because Johansson rarely steps into pure horror roles, making this a refreshing move for fans.
Why Scarlett Johansson Is the Perfect Choice
Scarlett is known for her emotional depth, grounded performances, and the ability to elevate any script she touches—whether action, sci-fi, drama, or thriller. From Lucy to Black Widow to Marriage Story, she dominates every genre.
Now, with a new horror movie under her belt, she’s about to take fans on a terrifying journey.
Horror Movies Get a Boost with A-List Stars
Big names like Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Toni Collette, and Lupita Nyong’o have proven A-list actors can elevate horror stories. Johansson stepping into this world signals that Universal is aiming high with this reboot.
Mike Flanagan Directs an All-New Exorcist Story
This movie is not a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer, which received mixed reviews and forced Universal to rethink its $400 million trilogy deal.
Mike Flanagan’s Vision for the Horror Reboot
Flanagan is known for:
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The Haunting of Hill House
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Doctor Sleep
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Gerald’s Game
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Ouija: Origin of Evil
His storytelling blends psychological dread, emotional trauma, and supernatural themes—perfect for a franchise like The Exorcist.
He Calls It “The Scariest Movie I’ve Ever Made”
That sentence alone tells audiences this is going to be intense. Flanagan has made some chilling films, so if he says this is his scariest, then horror fans are in for a major treat.
Where the New Exorcist Movie Fits Into the Franchise
Not Connected to The Exorcist: Believer
Universal confirmed that this new movie:
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Is a standalone story
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Introduces new characters
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Is set in The Exorcist universe
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Does not follow the 2023 storyline
This also allows them to distance themselves from Believer, which despite earning $137M globally, didn’t meet expectations compared to Blumhouse hits like Five Nights at Freddy’s, which made $291M.
A Fresh Timeline for New and Old Fans
Fans of the original 1973 classic are eager to see whether this film leans into the psychological tone that made the original iconic.
Scarlett Johansson’s Recent Box-Office Success Helps the Reboot
Johansson recently helped revive the Jurassic Park franchise with Jurassic World Rebirth, delivering:
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$318M global opening
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$868M total box office
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Massive global fan engagement
Universal clearly trusts her star power to help reboot The Exorcist brand in a big way.
Inside the Production: What We Know So Far
Filming Location: New York City
The movie will be shot in NYC, a classic backdrop for supernatural thrillers. This cityscape adds realism, grit, and atmosphere that fit demonic horror perfectly.
Unnamed Film, But High Expectations
The official title is under wraps, but studios are already teasing that this film will “reset the franchise.”
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Universal Pictures & Blumhouse Reboot Strategy
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Box Office and Franchise Revival
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How This Movie Fixes The Exorcist: Believer Issues
Believer’s Problems
While The Exorcist: Believer made money, it was criticized for:
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Weak storytelling
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Forced nostalgia
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Over-reliance on legacy characters
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Rushed trilogy plans
What the New Movie Is Doing Better
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Fresh story
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New cast
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A grounded tone
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No trilogy pressure
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A strong director
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A proven star
Will This Movie Save The Exorcist Franchise?
Many fans believe this could be the comeback the franchise desperately needs.
Why Audiences Are More Excited Than Ever
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Scarlett Johansson brings mainstream appeal
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Mike Flanagan brings critical respect
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Standalone format gives creative freedom
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Horror is the strongest cinema genre right now
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Universal needs a horror win
This combination makes the film one of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies of 2025-2026.
What Fans Can Expect from the New Exorcist Movie
A Darker, More Emotional Story
Flanagan excels at emotional horror—expect deep characters, grief themes, and intense storytelling.
High Production Quality
With Universal and Blumhouse backing it financially and creatively, fans can expect:
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Strong visuals
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Atmospheric cinematography
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Practical effects mixed with modern techniques
Franchise Easter Eggs
While it’s not a sequel, fans may get:
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References to the 1973 film
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Nod to the demon Pazuzu
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Religious-themed lore
A Terrifying Performance from Johansson
This might be one of her most intense roles ever.
Behind the Scenes – Why This Reboot Matters
Hollywood’s Horror Evolution
Horror is now:
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More psychological
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More story-driven
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More cinematic
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More profitable
This movie symbolizes the genre’s shift into prestige filmmaking.
Universal’s Long-Term Strategy
Universal is rebuilding its horror catalog with:
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Wolfman (Ryan Gosling)
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Invisible Man universe
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The Exorcist reboot
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New original horror titles
Final Prediction – Will It Be a Hit?
Given the combination of Johansson + Flanagan + Universal marketing power, the film will likely:
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Open strong
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Perform well globally
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Redefine Exorcist for the modern generation
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Spark a new era for religious horror movies
The hype is real, and expectations are sky-high.
Conclusion
Scarlett Johansson’s entry into The Exorcist franchise marks a major turning point for horror fans and the movie industry. With Mike Flanagan calling this his scariest movie yet, Universal and Blumhouse investing heavily, and audiences ready for a smarter, fresher take—this movie is shaping up to be one of 2025’s biggest cinematic events.
The story is new, the tone is darker, and the cast is stronger. If all goes right, this could become the next big milestone in modern horror.
