Universal has officially revealed major updates for Mike Flanagan’s highly anticipated addition to The Exorcist franchise. Here’s everything we know so far.
An Ensemble Cast
Scarlett Johansson leads the film, titled The Exorcist: Martyrs, alongside Jacobi Jupe and Diane Lane. Furthermore, Sasha Calle and John Leguizamo join the ensemble cast. Flanagan also reunites with several of his frequent collaborators for the film. Returning actors include Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Gil Bellows, Carl Lumbly, Robert Longstreet, and Matt Biedel. Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Benjamin Pajak, and Carla Gugino complete the impressive lineup.
A Fresh Take on the Franchise
The story focuses on NYPD Homicide Detective Julie Miller (Johansson). Miller arrests an infamous serial killer known as “Father Sunday,” played by John Leguizamo. After witnessing his execution, she experiences disturbing events as evil forces target her twelve-year-old son. Consequently, priests played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Laurence Fishburne step in when the case becomes intensely supernatural.
Inspired by the third installment, The Exorcist III: Legion, the narrative blends procedural crime investigation with demonic horror. However, Flanagan noted that the project offers an original narrative rather than a remake of older films. He aims to expand the universe in a completely distinct direction.
I think the first job is to tell people they’re not seeing a retread of The Exorcist,” Flanagan told Esquire. “They’re not seeing any attempt to reboot or remake or to step into the Friedkin film. They’re actually seeing a story within the Exorcist universe that has not been told before, that is unique within the franchise and taking it in a very different direction than it’s gone in the past. That’s what I’m hoping. We’re doing something very, very different than what people might’ve expected.”
While The Exorcist: Martyrs won’t hit theaters until March 12, 2027, the first teaser trailer has arrived, and the full trailer is expected to land on Friday. For those of you who missed The Exorcist III, which is the best film of the franchise, other than the original, you can watch it now on Prime Video.
