Scarlett Johansson Joins Ari Aster's New Film 'Scapegoat': What to Expect?

Scarlett Johansson Takes on New Role in 'Scapegoat'

Los Angeles: Renowned actress Scarlett Johansson is gearing up to star in a new project directed by the acclaimed Ari Aster, a favorite among film enthusiasts.

The film, titled Scapegoat, is penned by Aster himself, who will collaborate once again with A24, the distributor behind his previous four films, according to reports from a major media outlet.

Ari Aster, known for his satirical work, premiered his latest film, Eddington, at Cannes last year. He, along with his partner Lars Knudsen, will produce the film under their Square Peg production company. As is typical with Aster's projects, specific plot details remain undisclosed.

Since the success of his horror film Hereditary, Aster's scripts have consistently captured the attention of Hollywood due to their originality. After dedicating the latter part of last year to writing, Scapegoat emerged as his original script, with Johansson being his top choice for the lead role.

However, securing Johansson's participation is no small feat, as the Oscar-nominated actress has a packed filming schedule for 2026, which includes a role in the upcoming Exorcist film at Universal and a Batman sequel alongside Robert Pattinson later this summer. Sources indicate that after reviewing the script, Johansson expressed her enthusiasm for the role, prompting producers to plan a shoot later this year to fit her busy calendar.

Johansson recently wrapped up a hectic 2025, which saw her contribute to the relaunch of the Jurassic World franchise with Jurassic World: Rebirth. This film, released in July, achieved impressive box office success, grossing $868 million globally, and a sequel is already in development.

Additionally, she made her directorial debut with the drama Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival under Sony Pictures Classics.