The Exorcist: Insider Reveals New Plot Details for Scarlett Johansson's Horror Movie

A new "Exorcist" movie from horror expert Mike Flanagan is in the works—and now, it appears that detailed plot information has been leaked. Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman has shared new information about the story and the characters surrounding lead actress Scarlett Johansson.

Here's what the new Exorcist movie is said to be about

According to the report, the Marvel star plays a "single-mother cop who, 13 years after taking down a notorious satanic serial killer, investigates a new series of murders connected to her past, all while her 12-year-old son becomes the target of a terrifying demonic force."

The Cast of Flanagan's The Exorcist

The serial killer in question is set to be portrayed by John Leguizamo. The actor was most recently in the headlines for his performance in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" and has good reason to hope for an Academy Awards nomination.

Richtman also reports that "Backrooms" actor Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a priest who is somehow connected to the investigation. "The Matrix" star Laurence Fishburne, on the other hand, is said to be the priest who is to perform the exorcism. Diane Lane is set to appear as the mother of Johansson's character. It was previously reported that Jacobi Jupe is set to play the protagonist's son. Additional roles will be portrayed by Carla Gugino ("The Haunting of Hill House") and Sasha Calle ("The Rip").

What We Know So Far

However, one thing is also clear: neither the plot nor the character descriptions have been officially confirmed yet. What is already known, however, is that the new film is not a typical sequel. The film will therefore not be a sequel to "The Exorcist: Believer," the most recent installment in the franchise to date. Likewise, Flanagan has no plans to remake William Friedkin's 70s classic. Rather, the director wants to tell a new story set in the "Exorcist" universe. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Flanagan spoke about his approach:

"I've always felt that there's no point in going into a franchise or into a property that monolithic unless there's something new you can bring. [...] This is an opportunity to do something that I believe has never been done within the franchise — something that honors what came before it but isn't built on nostalgia. I really just saw an opportunity to make the scariest movie I've ever made. I know expectations are high. No one's more intimidated than I am."

The Exorcist: Martyrs – Title and Release Date

Although an official title hasn't been announced yet, the name "The Exorcist: Martyrs" has been circulating online for some time. Gradually, however, some official details about the plot are to be released to the public. And the trailer might not be too far off either. After all, filming has been wrapped up since June 2026 —and the theatrical release is already scheduled for spring 2027.

On March 12, Flanagan's "Exorcist" will hit the big screen for the first time. As soon as the first trailer is available, you'll find it on our YouTube channel and in the KinoCheck app.

The Phenomenon of The Exorcist

William Friedkin's 1973 film "The Exorcist" is considered one of the most influential and disturbing horror films in cinematic history. The story centers on 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), who appears to be increasingly possessed by a demonic force. Her mother, Chris (Ellen Burstyn), eventually turns to two Catholic priests (Jason Miller & Max von Sydow), who attempt to save the girl through an exorcism.

Friedkin directed the film based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The film became a worldwide box-office hit, sparked controversial discussions upon its release, and has since become a cult classic of the horror genre.

The original film was followed by "The Exorcist II: The Heretic" (1977), "The Exorcist III" (1990), "Exorcist: The Beginning" (2004), and "Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist" (2005). In 2016, a television series of the same name premiered, but it was canceled after two seasons. In 2023, another feature film, "The Exorcist: Believer," was added to the series.