(Image Credit: Universal Pictures)
Mike Flanagan, the filmmaker behind "Doctor Sleep," is directing Scarlett Johansson in the next chapter of "The Exorcist" franchise, officially titled "The Exorcist: Martyrs." The first trailer arrives Friday, October 9. Along with a 15-second teaser for the trailer, available below, the studio has unveiled the movie’s first images through Esquire.
(Image Credit: Universal Pictures)
Entertainment insider Daniel Richtman shared plot and character details for "Martyrs" on his Patreon page last month. Esquire’s newly published feature has now confirmed that information while revealing additional details.
Johansson stars as Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective and single mother. Thirteen years earlier, Julie captured an infamous satanic serial killer known as Father Sunday, whose meticulously staged crime scenes evoked the martyrdoms of Roman Catholic saints. Julie was present for his execution, though none of the people involved were willing to acknowledge their participation publicly. Now, she is investigating a new string of murders tied directly to Father Sunday. At the same time, a terrifying demonic force sets its sights on her 12-year-old son.
(Image Credit: Universal Pictures)
The movie’s other major roles have also been revealed. Diane Lane plays Julie’s mother, while John Leguizamo portrays Father Sunday. Former Supergirl star Sasha Calle appears as Julie’s fellow detective Gina Restrepo, and "Hamnet" breakout Jacobi Jupe plays Julie’s son, Max. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Father William, the prison chaplain who presided over Father Sunday’s execution, while Laurence Fishburne plays a priest familiar with ancient exorcism rituals.
Several cast members whose roles remain under wraps are longtime Flanagan collaborators, including Hamish Linklater, Carla Gugino, Samantha Sloyan, Rahul Kohli and the director’s wife, Kate Siegel.
(Image Credit: Universal Pictures)
Although "Martyrs" follows "The Exorcist: Believer" into production, it will not continue that film’s story. Instead, it introduces a new narrative set within "The Exorcist" universe. "Believer" was originally designed to launch a trilogy with two interconnected sequels, but those plans were abandoned after the film’s disappointing box-office performance. Flanagan then came aboard to write and direct a fresh storyline.
Rather than following the structure of a traditional exorcism movie, "Martyrs" leans into a religious crime thriller centered on a serial-killer investigation. That approach puts it in the same territory as "Se7en," and Flanagan told Esquire that he wanted to blend elements of that film and "The Silence of the Lambs" into his new take on the franchise.
Flanagan also cited "The Exorcist III" as a key influence. One of the franchise’s few sequels to earn lasting admiration from fans, the film similarly plays out as a supernatural murder mystery—and inspired Flanagan to create his own answer to "The Exorcist III."
via： Esquire