Mike Flanagan has finally shed light on where his upcoming Exorcist film—starring Scarlett Johansson—fits into the legendary horror franchise’s timeline. Set several decades after 1990’s The Exorcist III, the new movie aims to carve out its own path while still leaving the door open for ties to legacy characters. Speaking in an interview during New York Comic Con, Flanagan confirmed that the film takes place in the present day and acknowledges the events of William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist III. However, he emphasized that established franchise lore won’t drive the plot.
Partnering with Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek Productions, the goal is to introduce fresh characters and explore untapped corners of The Exorcist universe. This approach marks a distinct pivot from 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, which tried to jump-start the franchise by directly bringing back original cast members. Flanagan is prioritizing a standalone story that newcomer audiences can easily follow—even if subtle details in the first trailer hint at deeper connections than he’s letting on.
‘The Exorcist: Martyrs’ – The ‘Exorcist III’ Link and the Kinderman Clue
The new film centers on Julie Miller (Johansson), an NYPD detective investigating a series of ritualistic murders linked to a satanic serial killer executed years ago. When the case escalates and threatens her young son Max (Jacobi Jupe), Julie finds herself up against an entity that appears to be terrifyingly demonic. The detective-driven plot closely mirrors The Exorcist III, where Lieutenant William F. Kinderman (George C. Scott) tracked a killer operating long after his death. Flanagan has cited the 1990 film as a major inspiration, particularly for its dread-filled, psychological approach to horror.
But eagle-eyed fans noticed a clue in the trailer that hints at a more direct connection: the name “Kinderman” appears to be visible on Johansson’s uniform, and her character shares a first name with Lieutenant Kinderman’s daughter. While Flanagan hasn’t confirmed any family relation, the detail has sparked heavy fan speculation over whether Julie is related to the iconic detective or if it’s simply an easter egg.
Alongside Johansson and Jupe, the star-studded cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, and Sasha Calle.
The Exorcist: Martyrs is slated to hit theaters in March 2027, promising to honor the franchise’s roots without being weighed down by them.
Source: ScreenRant