Scarlett Johansson and horror mastermind Mike Flanagan are joining forces for one of the most anticipated movies of 2027 — a bold new entry in The Exorcist universe. With first-look set photos surfacing in mid-2026 and filming already underway in New York City, excitement around this project has reached fever pitch. Here is everything you need to know about the Scarlett Johansson Mike Flanagan movie, from the casting and plot details to the release date and what makes this take so different from previous Exorcist films.
What Is the Scarlett Johansson Mike Flanagan Movie?
The Scarlett Johansson Mike Flanagan movie is an untitled supernatural horror film set in The Exorcist franchise universe. It is written and directed by Mike Flanagan — the visionary behind The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep — and is due out on March 12, 2027, via Universal Pictures.
The film is neither a remake of William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic nor a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer. Instead, it carves out its own story within the larger Exorcist mythology — a creative decision that has generated significant buzz among horror fans.
Why Mike Flanagan for The Exorcist?
Flanagan is widely regarded as one of the most gifted directors working in horror today. His track record — from Gerald’s Game and Oculus to prestige television like The Fall of the House of Usher — shows a filmmaker who consistently prioritizes character depth and emotional tension alongside genuine scares.
Flanagan has been candid about his ambitions for the project. “I’ve always felt that there’s no point in going into a franchise or into a property that monolithic unless there’s something new you can bring,” he remarked in September 2024. “I chased The Exorcist very aggressively because I was convinced I had something that I could add. This is an opportunity to do something that I believe has never been done within the franchise — something that honors 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.”
Scarlett Johansson’s Role in the Film
The film will feature Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of a mother fighting a terrifying supernatural presence. Jacobi Jupe plays her son, making their bond the emotional heart of the story.
Johansson boarded the cast as a leading character in November 2025. Her involvement brings enormous star power to the production. Johansson was recently named the highest-earning actress of 2025 by Forbes. She is best known globally for her blockbuster run as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, more recently, for Jurassic World: Rebirth, which grossed over $868 million worldwide.
What Do the Set Photos Reveal?
Set photos reveal Johansson filming scenes outside a building, walking down a flight of stairs, alongside co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rahul Kohli, and Sasha Calle. Based on badges visible in various photos, Johansson and Calle appear to be playing detectives.
One moment from the photos shows the group walking down an outdoor stairwell, while another features Johansson leaning against a car, looking deep in thought — painting a grounded, character-driven picture of the film’s tone.
The Star-Studded Cast
This is not just Scarlett Johansson and Mike Flanagan — the film boasts one of the most expansive ensembles assembled for a modern horror production.
The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Sasha Calle, Diane Lane, and Jacobi Jupe. It also features several of Flanagan’s frequent collaborators, including Carla Gugino, Hamish Linklater, Rahul Kohli, Carl Lumbly, Kate Siegel, Robert Longstreet, Gil Bellows, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, John Gallagher Jr., and Benjamin Pajak.
Academy Award nominee Diane Lane was confirmed to join the film in January 2026.
A Repertory Company Approach
This isn’t a studio-assembled cast — it’s Flanagan building his repertory company around a few A-list names, an approach that mirrors his television work, where character depth is consistently prioritized.
Plot Details: What We Know So Far
Official plot details remain tightly under wraps. However, based on set photos and early reports, several clues have emerged:
- Johansson leads the film as a mother facing a chilling supernatural force, with her son at the center of the story.
- The law enforcement angle suggested by the set photos implies the film may take a detective or investigative approach to the demonic possession storyline.
- The film stays in The Exorcist universe but tells its own story, giving creators more room to experiment while still honoring the franchise’s roots.
Production: Filming in New York City
Several cast members were spotted filming across New York City in early 2026, and based on the first-look photos, the movie is sure to take viewers on a wild and spooky ride.
The filming window followed several months of intense speculation. The new Exorcist film was pushed from an early-2026 release to 2027, largely due to scheduling conflicts tied to Mike Flanagan’s production commitments. Flanagan indicated that filming would begin once his work on the Carrie series for Prime Video was completed.
Flanagan wrote the script, directs the film, and serves as a producer. The project is backed by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment, with Universal Pictures handling worldwide distribution.
Who Is Producing the Film?
In addition to writing and directing, Flanagan is producing via his Red Room Pictures banner, alongside David Robinson for Morgan Creek Entertainment and Jason Blum for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Executive producers include Alexandra Magistro for Red Room Pictures and Ryan Turek for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.
Cinematography is handled by Michael Fimognari, Flanagan’s long-time director of photography who has collaborated with him across nearly every major project.
How Does This Film Differ from The Exorcist: Believer?
After The Exorcist: Believer limped to $136 million worldwide — a catastrophic return on Universal’s $400 million franchise acquisition — the studio handed Flanagan total creative freedom and his most ambitious ensemble yet.
The earlier entry, directed by David Gordon Green, received mixed to negative feedback. Many viewers felt it failed to match the impact of the original. That reaction raised expectations for the next chapter, and early buzz around the new movie feels cautiously hopeful.
Flanagan’s approach is fundamentally different: rather than continuing the David Gordon Green storyline or remaking the 1973 original, he is crafting an entirely new narrative that respects the mythology without being shackled to it.
Release Date and Distribution
The untitled Exorcist film is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 12, 2027, distributed by Universal Pictures.
It will be the seventh film in The Exorcist franchise overall — but by far the most anticipated in decades, given the combination of Flanagan’s acclaimed pedigree and a cast headlined by one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Mike Flanagan Scarlett Johansson movie?
It is an untitled supernatural horror film set in The Exorcist universe, written and directed by Mike Flanagan, starring Scarlett Johansson as a mother confronting a demonic force. It releases on March 12, 2027.
Is Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist a remake?
No. The film is neither a remake of the 1973 original nor a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer (2023). It is a standalone story set within The Exorcist universe.
Who else stars in Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist?
The cast includes Jacobi Jupe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Sasha Calle, Carla Gugino, Rahul Kohli, Kate Siegel, and Hamish Linklater, among others.
When does the Scarlett Johansson Exorcist movie come out?
The film is scheduled to release in theaters on March 12, 2027, via Universal Pictures.
Where is Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist filming?
Filming is taking place in New York City, with cast members photographed filming scenes in Manhattan and Queens.
What is Scarlett Johansson’s character in the Exorcist movie?
Johansson plays a mother fighting a supernatural force, with Jacobi Jupe playing her son. Set photos also suggest her character may hold a law enforcement role.
Are you excited to see Scarlett Johansson lead Mike Flanagan’s take on The Exorcist? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for the latest updates as the March 2027 release date approaches!