Scapegoat (2025) Movie News & Updates

Jacob Elordi in Talks to Join Ari Aster’s ‘Scapegoat’ Opposite Scarlett Johansson

Jacob Elordi is in early negotiations to star in Ari Aster’s upcoming psychological thriller Scapegoat, with Scarlett Johansson already attached to the project, according to multiple industry insiders familiar with the matter. The film, which has been under wraps since its initial development, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated collaborations of the year, pairing Aster’s signature unsettling storytelling with two of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Elordi, who rose to international prominence with his breakout role in Euphoria and has since cemented his status as a leading man with films like Priscilla and Saltburn, would bring a brooding intensity to the project. Johansson, a two-time Oscar nominee known for her versatility across indie dramas and blockbuster franchises, is already locked in as the female lead. While plot details for Scapegoat remain tightly guarded, sources describe the film as a slow-burn descent into paranoia, set in an isolated rural community where a young man’s return stirs dormant secrets and violent consequences.

This marks the first feature collaboration between Aster and Elordi, though the director has long been vocal about his admiration for actors willing to explore the dark, deeply flawed corners of human nature. Aster, celebrated for Hereditary and Midsommar, has built a reputation for crafting meticulously constructed nightmares that linger long after the credits roll. With Scapegoat, he is reportedly working from an original screenplay, a return to his own material after shepherding the studio horror Beau Is Afraid in 2023.

The project is set up at A24, the indie powerhouse that has backed all of Aster’s previous features and has become synonymous with elevated genre filmmaking. Production is expected to begin early next year, with a theatrical release planned for late 2027. Neither Elordi’s representatives nor A24 have commented publicly on the negotiations, which are said to be in final stages but not yet completed.

A Departure for Aster?

Known for his sprawling, often surreal narratives, Aster has described Scapegoat as a more restrained and character-driven piece than his previous work. Those close to the production suggest the film will lean heavily on psychological tension rather than supernatural horror, drawing comparisons to the unsettling realism of Roman Polanski’s Repulsion or the moral ambiguity of Ingmar Bergman’s Winter Light. The title itself hints at themes of communal blame and sacrificial figures, motifs that have appeared subtly in Aster’s earlier films but may now take center stage.

Elordi’s potential casting is a notable shift for the actor, who has recently balanced prestige fare with franchise ambitions. After his turn as the conflicted Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, he demonstrated a capacity for restrained, magnetic performances that could align well with Aster’s penchant for slowly unraveling protagonists. Meanwhile, Johansson’s recent work in Asteroid City and Fly Me to the Moon shows an ease with both offbeat humor and emotional depth, suggesting she could anchor the film’s more grounded moments.

A Crowded Field of Hot Projects

If the deal closes, Elordi will have to carve out time in an already packed schedule. He is currently attached to several high-profile projects, including a lead role in the upcoming Frankenstein adaptation directed by Guillermo del Toro, as well as a reprisal of his role in the third season of Euphoria. Johansson, meanwhile, has been developing a number of passion projects through her production company, including a long-gestating adaptation of the novel The Dreamers.

Industry analysts note that Scapegoat is likely to be a major awards-season player, given Aster’s track record with critical acclaim and A24’s successful Oscar campaigns. The combination of auteur director, A-list cast, and an original script from a proven voice makes the project one of the most prominent in development.

What’s Next

Fans of Aster and Elordi alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation from the studio. While negotiations are expected to close within the coming weeks, there is always the possibility of scheduling conflicts or other obstacles derailing the deal. For now, the prospect of seeing Elordi and Johansson share the screen under Aster’s direction is enough to generate considerable buzz.

Scapegoat joins a slate of ambitious projects from A24 slated for the next few years, including new films from directors Alex Garland and the Safdie brothers. The studio has declined to provide further details about the production timeline, but shooting locations are rumored to include remote areas of the Pacific Northwest, a fitting backdrop for the story’s claustrophobic atmosphere.

As conversations continue, the film’s potential feels substantial. Aster has never missed with his feature-outing, and adding Elordi to the mix could create the kind of volatile, magnetic chemistry that defines modern thriller classics. For now, audiences will have to wait a bit longer to see what Scapegoat really has in store. But with names like these attached, the anticipation is already running high.

Source: Variety