Bold claim: Jacobi Jupe is stepping into a new era of horror cinema by joining Scarlett Johansson in Blumhouse and Universal’s latest Exorcist project. If you’re curious about how this fresh interpretation will differentiate itself from past iterations, you’re not alone—and there’s a lot to unpack.
Jacobi Jupe, who has been making waves this award season with Hamnet, is set to co-star opposite Johansson in what the studios describe as a “fresh, bold” take on The Exorcist. This incarnation, produced under Blumhouse and Universal, is being pitched by the producers as neither a remake nor a direct sequel to the 1973 classic. Instead, it aims to reimagine the supernatural tale for a modern audience, while maintaining the spine-tingling atmosphere fans expect from the franchise.
The project follows the industry’s recent, high-profile attempt to revive The Exorcist as a franchise, notably with 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer. Details about the new film’s plot remain tightly under wraps, but early signals suggest a focus on fresh angles within the exorcism mythos—potentially shifting the lens toward different characters or origins while preserving the core battle between faith and fear.
Filming is slated to begin in March in New York, with Jupe reportedly portraying Johansson’s character’s son. This casting choice aligns Jupe with Johansson’s high-profile lead, pairing his rising star power with an established box-office heavyweight for a potentially compelling dynamic on screen.
Mike Flanagan—renowned for his work on Stephen King adaptations like Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game, as well as acclaimed television series such as Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House—will write and direct the new film, under his Red Room Pictures banner. He’s also serving as producer alongside David Robinson of Morgan Creek Entertainment, with Jason Blum and Ryan Turek of Blumhouse attached as producer and executive producer, respectively. This collaboration signals a serious commitment to a bold, character-driven horror experience.
Ju pe’s breakout has come through a diverse slate of projects. He stars as the titular Hamnet in Chloe Zhao’s adaptation, alongside Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, which has earned widespread critical praise and award-season attention. His recent roles include an Apple TV+ psychological thriller, Before, opposite Billy Crystal, and a turn as Michael Darling in Peter Pan & Wendy for Disney, directed by David Lowery. He is also slated to appear in the horror thriller Victorian Psycho with Maika Monroe.
Represented by Brillstein Entertainment Group, Hansen Jacobson, and the United Kingdom’s Independent Talent Group, Jupe continues to rise as a versatile presence in both film and television.
Controversial note: This Exorcist project appears to be testing the boundaries of the franchise by sidestepping traditional remakes and sequels. Does reimagining a landmark horror property with a new mythos and a different focal point risk diluting the original’s impact, or could it revitalize the series for a new generation? What elements should stay sacred, and which should be allowed to evolve? Share your take in the comments: is this the fresh breath the Exorcist universe needs, or a perilous departure from a classic?'
