India, Nov. 25 -- Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson is officially taking the lead in The Exorcist franchise, marking her first major dive into full-blown horror. According to a report in Deadline, the two-time Oscar nominee was locked in to star in the next installment of the iconic series, written and directed by Mike Flanagan.

"Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn't be happier to have her join this Exorcist film," Mike was quoted as saying.

The untitled feature will become the seventh film in the long-running franchise, which began with the 1973 Oscar winner starring Ellen Burstyn. It will "tell an all-new story set in The Ex...