Chiwetel Ejiofor is making headlines as he joins the talented Scarlett Johansson in a thrilling new horror film from Blumhouse and Universal, a fresh take on the iconic classic, The Exorcist.
This exciting development brings Ejiofor back together with director Mike Flanagan, who has assured fans of a daring and innovative interpretation of the original story. Flanagan, known for his work on The Life of Chuck (an adaptation of a Stephen King narrative that recently won the People's Choice Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival), will be at the helm of this project, serving not only as the director but also as the writer and producer.
What makes this film particularly intriguing is that it is neither a straightforward remake nor a conventional sequel; instead, it exists within the expansive "Exorcist universe." Joining Ejiofor and Johansson are other notable cast members, including Jacobi Jupe and Diane Lane. Sources indicate that Ejiofor will portray the role of a former convict who becomes a priest, while Johansson is set to play the mother of Jupe's character.
The original Exorcist, based on William Peter Blatty's novel and directed by William Friedkin, focused on the harrowing tale of a young girl’s demonic possession and the priests who strive to rescue her from evil. This groundbreaking film was nominated for an impressive ten Academy Awards. Subsequent films have largely explored the ongoing saga of the now-adult girl, delving into the backgrounds of the priests or introducing new demonic cases related to the original incident.
Universal Pictures has scheduled this new film for a theatrical release on March 12, 2027, with filming set to take place in New York City. It is being produced by the collaboration of Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek Entertainment, with Flanagan operating under his own production banner, Red Room Pictures.
The production team includes David Robinson for Morgan Creek, along with Jason Blum and Ryan Turek, who serve as producer and executive producer respectively for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Additionally, Alexandra Magistro will handle executive production duties for Red Room Pictures.
Ejiofor, renowned for his Oscar-nominated performance as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave, has built an impressive career with roles in films such as Children of Men, Love Actually, and Marvel's Doctor Strange series. He was recently featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Netflix’s The Old Guard 2. Represented by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and Hirsch Wallerstein, Ejiofor continues to be a significant figure in contemporary cinema.
