The Exorcist universe is adding another heavyweight.
Laurence Fishburne has joined Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Exorcist feature, teaming with Scarlett Johansson in what’s shaping up to be a prestige-driven reimagining of the legendary horror property.
Fishburne joins a previously announced cast that includes Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. While his role remains under wraps, the film is confirmed to be an all-new story set within The Exorcist universe, not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.
Universal Pictures has slated the film for a wide theatrical release in March 2027, with production set to take place in New York City.
Flanagan is writing, directing, and producing the project through his Red Room Pictures banner, continuing his collaboration with Blumhouse. The film is produced by Blumhouse–Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Red Room Pictures. Alexandra Magistro will executive produce for Red Room Pictures, David Robinson produces for Morgan Creek, while Jason Blum and Ryan Turek serve as producer and executive producer for Blumhouse–Atomic Monster.
Fishburne’s casting adds another layer of gravitas to the project. The Oscar nominee and Emmy and Tony Award winner is best known for his iconic turn as Morpheus in The Matrix, but his career spans more than five decades, beginning with his film debut at 15 in Apocalypse Now. His body of work includes Boyz n the Hood, The Color Purple, Mystic River, Deep Cover, and King of New York.
Beyond acting, Fishburne is also a prolific producer. Through Cinema Gypsy Productions, which he co-founded with Helen Sugland, he has backed projects including black-ish, its spinoffs, and the Emmy-winning animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
With Fishburne now joining an already stacked ensemble, Flanagan’s Exorcist film is increasingly positioning itself as a character-forward, filmmaker-led reset—one that leans into legacy while charting new territory for one of horror’s most iconic franchises.