In a major boost to the iconic horror film franchise, Oscar-nominated actress Scarlett Johansson is set to star in the next installment of The Exorcist franchise. The series began with the chilling and genre-defining 1973 film, directed by William Friedkin and based on William Peter Blatty's novel about a young girl's demonic possession.The upcoming untitled film is helmed by acclaimed horror writer-director Mike Flanagan, known for projects like the supernatural horror drama television miniseries The Haunting of Hill House (2020). Details about the film's release date, plot and full cast remain under wraps as of now. The previous film in the franchise, The Exorcist: Believer, directed by David Gordon Green, came out in 2023.Marvel's Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson has been cast in the next Exorcist film, directed by Mike FlanaganThe Exorcist has spawned multiple follow-ups over the years, including a total of six theatrical films: the original, three sequels (Exorcist II: The Heretic, The Exorcist III, and The Exorcist: Believer), and two prequel versions (Exorcist: The Beginning and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist).The next film in the franchise, featuring Scarlet Johansson, is confirmed to be an all-new storyline that will exist within the universe of the 1973 classic but will not be a direct sequel to the most recent 2023 release, The Exorcist: Believer. In a statement to The Wrap, director Flanagan stated that he became a filmmaker being inspired the franchise. He stated:“The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker. and it’s an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold and terrifying within its universe. Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favourite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”On other note, he also highlighted Scarlett Johansson's on screen presence and versatility, stating:“Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this Exorcist film.” Scarlett Johansson is known worldwide for playing Natash Romanoff/Black Widow as one of the original Avenger in Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Romanoff's farewell in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Johansson reappeared in MCU's Black Widow (2021), a stand alone movie of the original Avenger.Beyond the MCU, Scarlett Johansson's acclaimed roles include the lonely Charlotte in Lost in Translation and her dual Oscar-nominated performances in Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit. She recently took the lead in the science fiction action reboot, Jurassic World Rebirth as Zora Bennett, a covert operations expert.Johansson's character details and role in the upcoming Exorcist film are yet to be revealed by the production, which is a collaborative venture between Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment for Universal Pictures, under Flanagan’s Red Room Pictures banner.Stay tuned for more updates.