Jacobi Jupe, currently earning attention for his performance in the awards-season contender Hamnet, has been cast opposite Scarlett Johansson in Blumhouse and Universal’s new Exorcist film, marking a significant reset for one of cinema’s most iconic horror properties. The project arrives after the studios’ failed attempt to relaunch the franchise with The Exorcist: Believer in 2023, a release that underperformed critically despite strong brand recognition.
The film is being written and directed by Mike Flanagan, whose reputation has been built on character-driven horror rather than franchise spectacle. Known for works such as Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher, Flanagan has consistently approached supernatural material through emotional grounding and moral inquiry. Blumhouse and Universal have described the project as a “fresh, bold” iteration of The Exorcist, emphasising that it is neither a remake nor a sequel. Instead, it is being positioned as a standalone reimagining that exists independently of previous continuations and narrative timelines, reinforcing the creative pivot behind the Mike Flanagan Exorcist approach.
Plot details are being kept deliberately under wraps, but it is believed that Jupe will portray the son of Johansson’s character. Beyond that, no specific story information has been confirmed. The filmmakers appear intent on maintaining narrative secrecy as the project moves closer to production, a strategy often employed to avoid premature expectations surrounding a title so deeply ingrained in popular culture. Johansson’s involvement brings considerable star power to the film, placing the Scarlett Johansson Exorcist pairing among the most high-profile casting developments in recent genre cinema.
The original The Exorcist, released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, remains a defining moment in both horror and American cinema. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, the film centred on the demonic possession of a young girl and the priests tasked with confronting the evil afflicting her. Its unflinching seriousness, grounded performances, and spiritual themes elevated the genre to unprecedented critical heights. The film went on to receive 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won two, a rare achievement for a horror film.
In the decades that followed, The Exorcist franchise expanded through multiple sequels, prequels, and reinterpretations. Most of these entries explored either the aftermath of the original possession, the backstories of the priests involved, or new demonic cases loosely connected to earlier films. While some follow-ups developed cult followings, the series has struggled to regain the cultural authority and critical respect of Friedkin’s original, becoming emblematic of the difficulty in extending legacy horror titles across generations.
Blumhouse and Universal’s 2023 release The Exorcist: Believer was conceived as the first chapter in a new trilogy, but its reception prompted the studios to reassess their long-term plans. The decision to pivot toward a single, filmmaker-led vision suggests a recalibrated Blumhouse Universal horror strategy—one that prioritises creative clarity and tone over franchise expansion. Flanagan’s involvement signals an effort to rebuild trust with both critics and audiences by returning to the franchise’s core themes rather than its mythology.
For Jupe, the role represents a notable career step following his work in Hamnet, which has placed him firmly on the industry radar during awards season. While still early in his career, his casting opposite Johansson indicates confidence in his ability to anchor emotionally demanding material. His trajectory from prestige drama to high-profile genre filmmaking positions him as a young actor navigating both critical and commercial spaces, with the Jacobi Jupe Hamnet recognition providing timely momentum.
Principal photography on the project is scheduled to begin in March in New York. No release date has been announced, and Universal has not yet revealed additional casting or creative details. Given the legacy of the property and the scrutiny surrounding previous franchise attempts, the studio’s restrained rollout suggests a cautious, filmmaker-first approach.
As the new Exorcist film moves toward production, its success will likely hinge on whether Flanagan can balance reverence for the original with a contemporary sensibility that speaks to modern audiences. Rather than extending existing lore, this latest iteration appears intent on redefining what The Exorcist can represent in a post-franchise era—less a continuation of the past, and more a deliberate attempt to reclaim the weight, seriousness, and unsettling intimacy that made the original endure.
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