Scarlett Johansson is officially set to lead Ari Aster and A24‘s upcoming movie, Scapegoat. The film marks the first collaboration between the actress and the director, but continues their working relationship with the director and his films, such as Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid. Production is currently ongoing as the movie prepares to begin shooting later in 2026.
Johansson joins the filmmaker’s team as he returns to psychological horror movies
Both Ari Aster and producer Lars Knudsen will direct Scapegoat under Aster’s Square Peg banner. There is no information about what the movie will be about; however, some theories have emerged due to the name ‘Scapegoat.’ Aster is said to return to his roots by making another psychological horror film, in which he will continue to explore themes such as paranoia, guilt, and social breakdown.
The movie comes two years after Eddington, Aster’s latest satirical neo-Western film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. Although Aster’s latest film got critical acclaim, it did not perform well commercially. “Scapegoat” can become an important milestone for Square Peg.
For Johansson, the film represents another sharp turn in an already packed schedule. She is currently filming The Exorcist for director Mike Flanagan and is also preparing for The Batman Part II opposite Robert Pattinson. She additionally stars in Paper Tiger, which is expected to premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Moreover, this movie marks the return of Johansson to artistic collaborations after many years of working primarily with franchises. Industry experts have already noticed some similarities between her involvement in ‘Scapegoat’ and her famous performance in Under the Skin.
A24 has not yet announced when the movie will come out; however, with filming due to commence this year, ‘Scapegoat’ may become one of their most prestigious projects currently in production.
