Scarlett Johansson to star in ‘radical’ new ‘Exorcist’ film

Here we go again...

Following Universal’s billion-dollar investment to resurrect The Exorcist franchise and David Gordon Green’s failed attempt to competently start a new trilogy, Hollywood is starting afresh with a “radical” new chapter in The Exorcist universe.

Set to be written and helmed by Mike Flanagan, the American director of The Haunting Of Hill House and The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep, the upcoming film will be an all-new story - and definitely not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, which we described in our review as a "tepid exhumation" and an "inexcusably awful legacy sequel.”

To make sure they don’t repeat recent mistakes, Universal has announced it is bringing out the big guns by casting two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson.

Flanagan said in a statement to Variety: “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.”

While the temptation to curse Hollywood’s insistent IP-milking / nostalgia-baiting tactics is strong, there may be hope yet. Granted, scepticism is fully warranted as the Halloween and Exorcist reboots were creatively barren dross, but Flanagan has proven he knows a thing or two about psychological horror.

Whether it’s adapting Stephen King novels (Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep) or delivering atmospheric dread with the likes of The Haunting Of Hill House, Midnight Mass and The Fall Of The House of Usher, the director understands intimate human fears, and seems to be a good fit for a completely clean slate set within the Exorcist universe.

And while we weren’t too keen on Johansson’s other franchise revival this year, Jurassic World Rebirth, her casting reinforces how serious the studio is about the project – which will be the actress’ first horror film role.

Flanagan’s Exorcist film has yet to receive a launch date, and we remain open-minded - yet still fiercely protective of the original, which should have been left alone in the first place.

Based on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, William Friedkin’s 1973 original redefined horror and became the first horror film to be nominated for an Academy Award. It earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won two at the 1974 Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Mixing.

Half a century since its release, The Exorcist remains one of the greatest horror films ever made. No pressure then.