“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,” said Flanagan.

Johansson’s involvement is a clear sign the studio is serious about this latest version in the franchise after the last film, 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, underperformed with $65.5M U.S./Canada and $136.2M worldwide. 

This after NBCUni, Peacock and Blumhouse bought the rights from Morgan Creek for $400M back in July 2021. David Gordon Green, the director of that movie, withdrew from the next installment.

The studio had been taking meetings with a number of top-tier talent. But Johansson seemed like a perfect fit after helping relaunch the Jurassic World franchise this past summer with Jurassic World: Rebirth, which racked up close to $869 million worldwide.

 Following a meeting with producers and Flanagan, Johansson was on board to lead the relaunch of another marquee franchise. Insiders tell Deadline that scheduling had to be worked out with a couple of upcoming projects but that this film will likely be next on her docket to shoot. 

The project also gives Johansson her first legit horror film in long and successful career.

The film will tell an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe and is not a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer. It is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment and Flanagan — who also will write and direct — via his Red Room Pictures banner.

 Alexandra Magistro also will executive produce for Red Room Pictures. David Robinson produces for Morgan Creek Entertainment. Jason Blum and Ryan Turek serve as the respective producer and executive producer for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.