British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has been confirmed in a key role in Mike Flanagan’s upcoming supernatural horror film The Exorcist: Martyrs. The movie, the latest entry in the long-running Exorcist franchise, is scheduled for theatrical release on March 12, 2027, through Universal Pictures.
Ejiofor plays Father William, a prison chaplain who presided over the execution of a notorious serial killer and has since experienced a profound crisis of faith. The character is drawn into the central investigation as events take a demonic turn. The film also stars Scarlett Johansson as NYPD homicide detective Julie Miller, a single mother, and John Leguizamo as the serial killer known as Father Sunday.
Additional cast members include Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane, Sasha Calle, Laurence Fishburne, Carla Gugino and several of Flanagan’s frequent collaborators.
The story follows Detective Miller as she apprehends Father Sunday, a killer who staged murders to mimic the martyrdoms of Catholic saints. She witnesses his execution, only for the killing spree to continue in increasingly demonic ways. The narrative combines elements of a crime procedural with supernatural horror, drawing some inspiration from The Exorcist III while establishing a new story within the franchise universe.
Flanagan, known for films such as Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game and the series The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, both wrote and directed The Exorcist: Martyrs. He has described the project as an opportunity to tell a story that has not been told before within the franchise, distinct from both the original 1973 film and more recent entries. “They’re not seeing any attempt to reboot or remake or to step into the Friedkin film,” Flanagan has said. “They’re actually seeing a story within the Exorcist universe that has not been told before.”
The film is produced by Jason Blum through Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, David Robinson through Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Flanagan through his Red Room Pictures banner. Principal photography took place in New York City between March and June 2026. Cinematography is handled by Michael Fimognari, a regular collaborator of Flanagan’s.
About the Film
The Exorcist: Martyrs represents the seventh film in the franchise that began with William Friedkin’s landmark 1973 adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel. Following the mixed reception to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, the studio shifted direction by bringing in Flanagan for a fresh approach rather than continuing a planned trilogy.
Ejiofor, an Oscar nominee for 12 Years a Slave, has appeared in a wide range of genres, including recent horror projects. His casting continues a pattern of high-profile talent joining Flanagan’s projects. Johansson, known for both mainstream blockbusters and dramatic roles, leads the film as the determined detective whose professional and personal lives collide with supernatural forces.
Leguizamo’s portrayal of the charismatic yet terrifying Father Sunday positions the character as a central antagonistic force early in the story.
Supporting performances from Jacobi Jupe as Miller’s son Max, Diane Lane as her mother, and Laurence Fishburne as a priest familiar with ancient rituals are expected to deepen the film’s exploration of faith, family and evil. The large ensemble also features many actors who have worked repeatedly with Flanagan, contributing to the director’s signature atmospheric style.
First-look images released alongside the title announcement show Ejiofor in clerical robes within a dimly lit church setting, underscoring the religious and occult themes at the heart of the story. A teaser has begun circulating, with a full trailer expected in the coming weeks.
As production has wrapped and post-production continues, anticipation is building among horror audiences for Flanagan’s take on one of the genre’s most iconic properties. The March 2027 release positions The Exorcist: Martyrs as a major studio horror offering in the first quarter of the year.
The film aims to deliver both the procedural tension of a serial-killer thriller and the psychological and supernatural dread associated with the Exorcist name. With its blend of established franchise elements and a new narrative direction, The Exorcist: Martyrs marks a significant new chapter for the series under Flanagan’s direction.
