Scarlett Johansson films intense scenes for the new ‘Exorcist’ in New York, as the reboot already builds anticipation.
The first images of Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘The Exorcist’ are already circulating — and they have not gone unnoticed. The actress was spotted filming night scenes in Astoria, Queens, in a sequence that hints at the dark and physical tone of this new instalment. In the footage, Johansson is seen running barefoot through the streets, with a bloodied nose, a weapon in hand, wearing a red jumper and pink pyjama trousers. An apparently ordinary look that sharply contrasts with the tension of the scene, creating an unsettling effect even out of context.
Filming took place on the night of 26 March and forms part of a series of exterior shoots currently underway in New York. Just a day earlier, Johansson had also been seen filming alongside Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jacobi Jupe, in what appears to be a key part of the narrative. For now, plot details remain tightly under wraps.
However, according to early reports, the film will tell a completely new story within ‘The Exorcist’ universe, moving away from a direct continuation in favour of a broader reinterpretation of the myth. The project is led by Mike Flanagan, known for titles such as ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, ‘Midnight Mass’ and ‘Doctor Sleep’, placing the film firmly within a more psychological, rather than purely commercial, territory.
His approach has been described as a “radically new vision” of the original story, based on the novel by William Peter Blatty, which inspired the 1973 classic starring Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn. This new chapter does not aim to replicate the past, but to reinterpret it.
What has been seen so far points towards a narrative that is more raw, more physical and more focused on the emotional impact of its characters. Johansson’s performance suggests not only intensity, but also a shift in her recent career, embracing a role that appears both physically and emotionally demanding.
Although no release date has yet been confirmed, the project has already achieved something significant: generating conversation before even releasing a trailer.
And in the world of horror, that is always a strong sign.
