‘The Exorcist: Martyrs’ First Look: Scarlett Johansson Leads Mike Flanagan’s Reboot

Here is our first look at Mike Flanagan’s “The Exorcist: Martyrs.” The images are below. I gather a trailer is coming very soon.

The reboot stars Scarlett Johansson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Diane Lane, Noah Jupe, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, John Leguizamo, and Carla Gugino.

Johansson is reportedly playing a rookie cop who takes on a case involving “inconceivable darkness.” Additionally, sources indicate that Ejiofor will play an ex-con turned priest, while Jupe will play Johansson’s son. There’s no word yet on whom Leguizamo might be playing, but the image below hints at a convict on death row.

Last year, Flanagan hopped on board to direct two ‘Exorcist’ movies. Flanagan is said to have total creative freedom for this next chapter in the franchise. It makes sense. Two years ago, filmmaker David Gordon Green called it quits on the IP after the poor reception of “The Exorcist: Believer.” A creative rethink was needed.

And what a disaster it was for David Gordon Green. Universal shelled out a reported $400 million for the rights to the franchise, and Blumhouse still owes the studio two more ‘Exorcist’ movies under that deal. Understandably, everyone involved would rather forget “The Exorcist: Believer.” The film was panned by critics (22% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (a “C” CinemaScore) alike, and it grossed only $136 million worldwide.

Blumhouse initially set a March 2026 release for Flanagan’s “Exorcist: Martyrs,” but the film was quietly pulled from the schedule later that year. Flanagan, a busy man, was working on his “Carrie” reboot for Amazon. ‘Martyrs’ is now set for release on March 12, 2027.

‘Martyrs’ marks Flanagan’s ninth feature as a director. His previous credits include “Oculus” (2013), “Hush” (2016), “Gerald’s Game” (2017), and “Doctor Sleep” (2019). It also reunites him with Ejiofor, following their collaboration on last year’s “The Life of Chuck.”

UPDATE: Trailer tomorrow.