While David Gordon Green’s The Exorcist: Believer earned $137M a couple of years ago, it was considered a disappointment given the $400M Universal spent to acquire the rights. So naturally, a new attempt to revive the franchise is right around the corner, this time led by horror guru Mike Flanagan, and he’s just landed a huge star who could help turn things around.
Deadline reports Scarlett Johansson will star in Flanagan’s new “radical take” on The Exorcist, from Universal Pictures, Blumhouse, and Atomic Monster. Flanagan will write and direct this latest chapter, which will have no connection to Green’s film.
Johansson has rarely stepped into a full-blown horror effort before, so she’s in new territory and working with a seasoned pro. Flanagan has spent much of his career in the genre, adapting Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep and most recently, The Life of Chuck, along with hit shows such as The Haunting of Hill House. He’s even the writer of James Gunn’s Clayface movie set within the DCU.
Details remain tightly held on this new Exorcist, but it really feels like the franchise is being reborn for real this time. All eyes will be on it, for sure.
