Mike Flanagan’s "The Exorcist" Adds Chiwetel Ejiofor to Cast

Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor has joined the cast of Mike Flanagan’s “The Exorcist,” set to be released on March 12, 2027.

Ejiofor joins previously announced cast members Scarlett Johansson, Jacobi Jupe, and Diane Lane.

Flanagan’s adaptation of the horror classic is set to be an entirely new story set in “The Exorcist” universe and not a sequel to 2023’s “The Exorcist: Believer.”

While plot details are under wraps, the 1973 original, directed by New Hollywood icon William Friedkin, followed anxious mother Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), who recruits the help of two Catholic priests (Jason Miller and Max von Sydow) to help rid her daughter, Regan (Linda Blair), of a demonic presence corrupting her body and mind.

The film, widely considered a masterpiece of the horror genre, took home the 1974 Academy Awards for best adapted screenplay and sound. It was nominated in eight other categories, including best picture and director.

Ejiofor is best known for his Oscar-nominated turn in the 2014 best picture winner “12 Years a Slave,” as well as films like “Love Actually,” “American Gangster,” “Children of Men” and “Inside Man.” His recent credits include “The Old Guard 2,” “Eleanor the Great,” “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” and “Venom: The Last Dance.”

Flanagan is also set to write and produce the film under his Red Room Pictures banner.

Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment serve as producers. Alexandra Magistro will executive produce for Red Room Pictures.

David Robinson produces for Morgan Creek Entertainment. Jason Blum and Ryan Turek serve as producer and executive producer, respectively, for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

“The Exorcist” marks Flanagan’s fourth film for Blumhouse after he directed and wrote 2013’s “Oculus,” 2016’s “Hush” and 2016’s “Ouija: Origin of Evil.” It’s also his second collaboration with Ejiofor after 2024’s “The Life of Chuck.”