Mike Flanagan is assembling a killer cast for his next project, and the latest addition is a heavy hitter. Chiwetel Ejiofor is officially joining the cast of Flanagan’s upcoming The Exorcist movie, marking a quick reunion for the duo after working together on the TIFF-winning The Life of Chuck.
Universal and Blumhouse are clearly playing for keeps with this one. Ejiofor joins an absolutely stacked lineup that already includes Scarlett Johansson, Diane Lane, and Jacob Elord.
A Radical New Vision
If you’re worried about another standard sequel, take a deep breath. This isn’t a follow-up to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer. Instead, Flanagan is crafting an all-new story set within that universe.
Coming from the mind behind The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep, expectations are through the roof. Flanagan is known for taking classic horror concepts and injecting them with deep emotional stakes—and he’s taking on the roles of writer, director, and producer for this “radical” reimagining.
The Man of the Moment: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ejiofor isn’t just a “horror guy”—he’s one of the most respected actors on the planet. Whether he’s making us cry as an enslaved person in 12 Years a Slave or slinging magic in Doctor Strange, he brings a gravity to every role he touches. He recently starred in The Last Dance and the record-breaking Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. He’ll next appear in Paramount’s Children of Blood and Bone and the highly anticipated A24 film The Backrooms. He’s also a powerhouse director, having earned critical acclaim for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Rob Peace.
Production Notes & Key Dates
The film is set to shoot on location in New York City. While we have a bit of a wait ahead of us, the release date is already set. Flanagan’s Exorcist will hit theaters on Friday, March 12, 2027.
Why This Partnership Works
Flanagan has a habit of keeping a “repertory theater” of actors he trusts, and Ejiofor’s inclusion suggests their chemistry on The Life of Chuck was something special. With the backing of Jason Blum (Blumhouse) and James Wan (Atomic Monster), this project has the potential to be the most terrifying—and well-acted—entry in the franchise since the 1973 original.
