Scarlett Johansson (41) Spotted Filming Chilling New ‘The Exorcist’ in NYC — First Look at Her Darkest Role Yet
Filming has officially started for the new The Exorcist, with Scarlett Johansson seen on set in New York as production gets underway.
The update came from director Mike Flanagan, who shared the news on social media on March 13, confirming that work on the project has begun. He wrote, “Day 1… here we go. #theexorcist,” giving fans their first official sign that the film is now in progress.
This movie is a full reboot of the long-running horror franchise. It will not continue past stories but instead introduce a new direction. Flanagan, who is both writing and directing, has said before that he wants to bring a fresh and bold take to the series. He explained, “The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe.”
Johansson leads the cast and this project marks her first time working in a horror film. She joined the movie in late 2025 and was the first confirmed actor attached to it. Over time, more names were added, including Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, and John Leguizamo, along with several others. The film is being produced by Blumhouse and other production companies connected to the franchise.
Scarlett Johansson on the set of Mike Flanagan’s ‘THE EXORCIST’ in New York. 📷 pic.twitter.com/wEVTk6Ubcu
— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) March 17, 2026
The road to this reboot has not been simple. Earlier plans for follow-up films after The Exorcist: Believer were canceled after that movie did not perform well. The studio then decided to restart the series with a new vision and brought in Flanagan in 2024. Work on the film took longer as the director focused on other projects before returning to this one.
Production is now moving forward in New York, with cinematographer Michael Fimognari working behind the camera. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 12, 2027. Many fans have pointed out that the date falls on a Friday the 13th, which fits the horror theme perfectly.
This reboot has a lot of potential. Mike Flanagan has a strong background in horror, and casting Scarlett Johansson in her first role in the genre makes things even more interesting. It feels like a fresh start for the franchise after a rough patch. What do you think about this new version of The Exorcist? Are you excited to see how it turns out? Share your thoughts in the comments.