The cast of Mike Flanagan's upcoming new Exorcist film is getting bigger with the addition of Laurence Fishburne of The Matrix-fame. He joins the previously announced ensemble cast which includes Scarlett Johansson, Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The new installment of the iconic horror franchise will be a standalone story unfolding within the broader Exorcist universe and will not be tied to any of the previous Exorcist films. Mike Flanagan has written the script and will direct and produce through his banner, Red Room Pictures for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. The roles of the actors are currently under wraps.

The 1973 original, directed by William Friedkin, follows two priests, played by Max von Sydow and Jason Miller, who perform an exorcism on a young girl, portrayed by Linda Blair. The girl's mother, played by Ellen Burstyn, feels that she is under the possession of an evil spirit. It earned 10 Oscar nominations and became a landmark in horror cinema. Later films explored offshoots of that story, delving into the characters’ pasts and other linked cases. While plot details for Mike Flanagan's version of The Exorcist have not been revealed yet, it is described as a "radical new take" on the franchise. 

The production for the film will take place in New York City. Alexandra Magistro and Ryan Turek serve as executive producers on the film, which marks the fourth time Flanagan has teamed up with Blumhouse. The Exorcist movie has locked a March 12, 2027 release date worldwide by Universal Pictures.

Laurence Fishburne is widely recognised for his unforgettable turn as Morpheus in The Matrix series. With a career spanning over five decades, he made his big-screen debut at just 15 in Apocalypse Now. His accolades include a Tony Award for August Wilson's Two Trains Running, several Emmy wins (notably for #FreeRayshawn), and an Academy Award nomination for What’s Love Got to Do with It. His extensive film credits range from Boyz n the Hood and The Color Purple to Mystic River, Deep Cover, and King of New York.