John Leguizamo Joins 2027’s “The Exorcist” Horror Reboot
John Leguizamo has officially joined the star-studded cast of Mike Flanagan’s “The Exorcist” reboot. Flanagan wrote the script for the project and is aiming to create a new take on the horror classic. The casting of Leguizamo is huge, considering that production for the movie officially gets underway next week.
John Leguizamo’s Role in “The Exorcist” Reboot
Leguizamo’s casting comes at a very active stretch in his career. He won a Tony in 2022 for his one-man show “Latin History For Morons.” He was also one of the voices in the billion-dollar hit, “Zootopia 2.” He stars as Ezra Esposito on the Apple TV+ series “Smoke,” and is the host of the travel show “Leguizamo Does America,” which is now in its second season on MSNBC.
Leguizamo is also set to star in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” alongside Matt Damon, Jon Bernthal, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o. The film includes producers Trevor Macy and John Scherer. Founder and CEO of Blumhouse, Jason Blum, spoke about his excitement for Flanagan’s brand-new take on the horror classic “The Exorcist.”
In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, he said, “Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans, and we are excited to welcome him back to Blumhouse. I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world of The Exorcist and can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
The feature also has a star-studded cast with Jacobi Jupe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane, Scarlett Johansson, and Sasha Calle. Although plot details are being kept behind closed doors, Johansson plays a mom, and Jupe will play her son. The film is being produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Flanagan, who will be working through his Red Room Pictures banner.
“The Exorcist” Returns to Theaters in 2027
Universal Pictures holds the theatrical distribution rights and has locked in March 12, 2027, as the release date. Per Deadline, Flanag stated, “The Exorcist” is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is 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 favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
Whether Flanagan can deliver a version of “The Exorcist” that stands alongside the 1973 original in terms of cultural impact remains to be seen. What is clear is that the creative and commercial resources behind this film are substantial — and the cast alone is enough to make it one of the most anticipated horror films in years.
Flanagan’s reputation in the horror genre speaks for itself. His Netflix catalog — including “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” — earned him a devoted following and critical respect. His work tends to be character-driven, emotionally heavy, and more interested in psychological dread than cheap scares.
That sensibility could make his “Exorcist” something genuinely different from what audiences have seen before. Flanagan is also known for working with a recurring stable of actors, which makes Johansson’s involvement particularly interesting. She is not typically a part of his usual ensemble, which suggests the project may be pulling from a wider creative ambition than his previous work.
Why “The Exorcist” Still Matters Today
The original “Exorcist” — directed by William Friedkin and released in 1973 — did not just terrify audiences. It changed the horror genre permanently. Based on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, the film starred Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, a 12-year-old girl whose mother, played by Ellen Burstyn, watches helplessly as her daughter becomes possessed by a demonic entity.
The film earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won two. It remains one of the highest-grossing horror films ever made when adjusted for inflation. Since then, the franchise has produced sequels, prequels, and most recently, a trilogy-that-never-was. This latest adaptation is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile Exorcist films in decades — and Hollywood is paying close attention.
Director David Gordon Green launched his own legacy sequel in 2023 with “The Exorcist: Believer,” starring Leslie Odom Jr. and the returning Ellen Burstyn. A script for a sequel titled “The Exorcist: Deceiver” was set to hit theaters on April 18, 2025. However, box office numbers for “Believer” weren’t up to the studio’s liking, and reactions were mostly negative.
Therefore, the planned trilogy was ultimately scrapped — opening the door for Flanagan to take the reins with his own vision. The announcement that Flanagan would take on directing duties for the reboot was made last year. Originally, “The Exorcist” reboot was scheduled to hit the big screens next Friday before being pushed back to next March. Apparently, Leguizamo may be playing an antagonist, and he is repped by UTA, Mosiac, Ingenuity Group, and Jackoway Austen.
