Get ready for a spine-chilling cinematic experience! The Exorcist is back, but not as you remember it. Jacobi Jupe, the rising star currently captivating audiences in the critically acclaimed Hamnet, is set to join forces with Scarlett Johansson in a brand-new horror film produced by Blumhouse and Universal. But here's where it gets intriguing: this isn’t your typical remake or sequel. Directed and written by Mike Flanagan, the mastermind behind Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House, this project is being touted as a 'fresh, bold' reimagining of the iconic supernatural horror story. And this is the part most people miss—it’s a complete departure from the ill-fated 2023 attempt, The Exorcist: Believer, which failed to launch a new franchise.
For those unfamiliar, the original Exorcist, based on William Peter Blatty’s novel and directed by William Friedkin, terrified audiences with its tale of a young girl’s demonic possession and the priests who fought to save her. The film earned 10 Oscar nominations and spawned multiple follow-ups, most of which revolved around the girl’s adult life, the priests’ backstories, or other demonic cases tied to the original story. But will Flanagan’s version break free from this narrative mold? That’s the million-dollar question.
Principal photography is set to kick off in March in New York, with plot details shrouded in mystery. However, insiders believe Jupe will play Johansson’s son, adding a new layer of familial tension to the horror. Flanagan, known for his mastery of psychological terror, is producing through his Red Room Pictures, alongside David Robinson for Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Blumhouse’s Jason Blum and Ryan Turek.
Jupe, whose brother Noah Jupe starred in A Quiet Place, has been making waves in Hollywood. His portrayal of the titular character in Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet has earned him critical acclaim, including nominations for the London Film Critics Circle and Critics Choice Awards. Last year, he showcased his versatility in Apple+’s Before alongside Billy Crystal and Disney+’s Peter Pan and Wendy opposite Jude Law. Up next? The horror thriller Victorian Psycho with Maika Monroe. But is Jupe ready to tackle the dark legacy of The Exorcist? Only time will tell.
Represented by Brillstein Entertainment Group, Hansen Jacobson, and the UK’s Independent Talent Group, Jupe’s star is undeniably on the rise. As for Flanagan, his track record with Stephen King adaptations and haunting TV series suggests this Exorcist reboot could be something truly special—or controversially divisive. What do you think? Can this new take on The Exorcist live up to the original, or is it doomed to fail like its predecessor? Sound off in the comments!
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