The new big Hollywood horror project, the remake of The exorcist, just took a big step with the confirmation Jacobi Justus will accompany Scarlett Johansson leads the cast, as reported by Blumhouse and Universal. The project is led by the director and screenwriter Mike FlanaganFilming will begin in March in New York City, but plot details are being kept secret.
The production of this feature represents a major turning point for the franchise following the discreet recording of The Exorcist: Believer in 2023, a delivery that tried to restart the saga but did not achieve the expected impact. Studios cited by Universal describe the new film as a “fresh and bold iteration” that will be neither a remake nor a sequel, moving away from previous narratives that focused on the possessed young woman or the priests’ past as protagonists. By choosing Flanagan, known for his Stephen King adaptations such as “Doctor Sleep” and “Gerald’s Game” as well as the “Midnight Mass” series, the production is relying on a recognized voice in contemporary horror, Blumhouse said in announcing the start of pre-production.
The production alliance includes names with their own weight in the industry: David Robinson by Morgan Creek Entertainment, Jason Blum And Ryan Turek by Blumhouse and Flanagan himself through his label Red Room Pictures. The start of filming in New York also underlines the decision to distance itself from the saga’s usual locations and suggests both an aesthetic and narrative reinvention The Exorcistaccording to statements collected by Universal.
Although information about the plot is kept secret, sources close to the project assure that Justus will play the son of Johansson’s character, without officially confirming the evolution of their roles or the central axis of dramatic mastery that usually characterizes the saga. The choice of Johansson, a reference in contemporary cinema and known for her versatility, adds tension to a story that has captivated several generations of viewers since 1973.
This new chapter begins when Jacobi Jupe’s career reaches its greatest peak. The young actor, who just received London Film Critics Circle nominations for Young British/Irish Performer of the Year and the Critics Choice Award for Best Newcomer, directs the film Hamnet under the direction of Chloe Zhao, where she shares the bill with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. His appearance there made him one of the big reveals of the awards season, Variety reported. Flanagan and the production team have highlighted Just’s ability to take on complex roles, a nod that seems to motivate his signing The ExorcistDeadline reported on the future of the franchise in its newsletter. Additionally, the young actor recently worked with Billy Crystal in the miniseries Before (Apple+) and brought Michael Darling to life Peter Pan and Wendy from Disney+, in addition to adding upcoming releases like Victorian psycho with Maika Monroe. According to his agency, Jupe, represented by Brillstein Entertainment Group, Hansen Jacobson and Independent Talent Group, reaffirms his international focus with this new role.
For his part, Mike Flanagan himself has repeatedly expressed his interest in projects that explore fear from a psychological perspective, which could foreshadow a less traditional approach within the universe of fear The Exorcistalthough neither the producers nor the director have given any clear indications as to which direction the story will take. The film community and industry await the outcome of this ambitious attempt to revive one of the most iconic horror franchises as the cast prepares to begin production in New York next March.
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