Mike Flanagan unveils trailer for new Exorcist sequel starring Scarlett Johansson

The trailer for The Exorcist: Martyrs, directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Scarlett Johansson, debuted at New York City Comic Con and previews a March 12 theatrical release.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:18:58 GMT

Mike Flanagan and cast members unveiled the trailer for the upcoming horror sequel The Exorcist: Martyrs at New York City Comic Con on Oct. 9, 2026, according to Variety and the Sydney Morning Herald.

What happened

The trailer, shown during a panel at NYCC, introduced Johansson as NYPD Detective Julie Miller, who investigates murders linked to the original 1973 demonic entity. The preview featured graphic church‑based killings and hinted at a personal connection between Miller and the case. The film is slated for worldwide theatrical release on March 12, 2027.

What the reports add

Variety noted that the trailer was presented by director‑writer‑producer Mike Flanagan, co‑star Chiwetel Ejiofor and Scarlett Johansson, and listed additional cast members John Leguizamo, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane and Jacobi Jupe.
The Sydney Morning Herald emphasized the franchise’s legacy, recalling that the original The Exorcist (1973) was the first horror film nominated for Best Picture and has generated five sequels, a TV series and other media.
Both outlets confirmed Universal Pictures’ ownership of the property, citing the $400 million purchase of a new “Exorcist” trilogy in 2021.
Variety detailed the production team: the film is a Blumhouse‑Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek Entertainment collaboration, produced by Trevor Macy (Intrepid Pictures) with executive producers Alexandra Magistro (Red Room Pictures), Topher Merrill, John Baden (Morgan Creek), Karl Frankenfield, David Robinson, Roy Lee, Jason Blum and Ryan Turek.
Variety clarified that “The Exorcist: Martyrs” will not serve as a sequel to the 2023 “Exorcist” entry.

What was said

“This movie is unlike any other ‘Exorcist’ movie that’s ever been made, which was something that we were really determined to do from the very beginning, to take this franchise in a completely different direction,” Flanagan told Variety during the panel.

“And one of the things that we all kind of agreed on going in was that it had to be scary. It had to just be goddamn scary, like to your bones scary.”

“Especially for a project like this, that is going to be met immediately upon announcement with scepticism and questions; being able to kind of show people the first real look at what the movie is, is a critical moment for our marketing,” Flanagan said to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I try so hard to go into every movie knowing as little about it as I possibly can, which works directly counter to what’s required to market a movie and get it in front of an audience, so I’m, I’m not the person to ask,” he added.

How it came about

Flanagan’s involvement in horror follows his recent work on Amazon’s Carrie miniseries, which Felo News covered on Oct. 9, 2026 (Mike Flanagan pays homage to Matthew Lillard’s ‘Scream’ death in Amazon’s ‘Carrie’). His reputation for genre‑redefining series such as The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass was noted by the Sydney Morning Herald as part of the trailer’s promotional strategy.

Key facts

The Exorcist: Martyrs trailer debuted at New York City Comic Con on Oct. 9, 2026. (variety.com)
Scarlett Johansson plays NYPD Detective Julie Miller. (smh.com.au)
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on March 12, 2027. (variety.com)
Universal bought rights for a new Exorcist trilogy for $400 million in 2021. (variety.com)
Mike Flanagan said the film had to be "god‑damn scary, like to your bones scary." (variety.com)

Timeline

2021-01-01 — Universal purchases rights for a new Exorcist trilogy for $400 million.
2026-10-09 — Trailer for The Exorcist: Martyrs unveiled at NYCC.
2027-03-12 — Planned theatrical release of The Exorcist: Martyrs.