Jacob Elordi in talks to join Scarlett Johansson in Scapegoat
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Actor Jacob Elordi is now reportedly in formal talks to co-star opposite Scarlett Johansson in Ari Aster's next film, "Scapegoat," with negotiations said to have begun last week; this confirms and firms up earlier reports of his interest, moving the project from speculation to active dealmaking. The A24-backed thriller, written and directed by Aster, is being produced through his and Lars Knudsen's Square Peg banner, and would mark Elordi's first project since taking a break following his Oscar-nominated turn in "Frankenstein."
Aster reportedly wanted only Elordi for the role despite the actor fielding other offers, while Johansson was his sole choice to lead. The film's plot remains undisclosed, with insiders offering conflicting theories ranging from a story about a doctor operating on an internet-famous figure to a sci-fi romance or a more conventional drama. Should the deal close, filming is expected to begin later this year, following Elordi's recent run in "Wuthering Heights" and his return to "Euphoria."
- Elordi now in formal talks, not just rumoured, for Aster's "Scapegoat"
- Negotiations reportedly began last week; shooting planned for later 2026
- Aster and A24 wanted only Elordi and Johansson to lead
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Jacob Elordi and Scarlett Johansson are two of Hollywood's most in-demand actors, and both are being lined up for a new film called "Scapegoat" from writer-director Ari Aster, known for unsettling, hard-to-categorise films such as "Hereditary," "Midsommar" and "Beau Is Afraid." The project is backed by the studio A24 and produced through Aster's own company, Square Peg, run with Lars Knudsen.
Little is known about the plot, which is being kept deliberately under wraps, but Aster is said to have wanted Elordi and Johansson specifically for the lead roles rather than considering other actors. For Elordi, this would be his next major screen role since earning an Oscar nomination for playing the creature in "Frankenstein," while Johansson remains one of the industry's most bankable stars.
The story matters to entertainment audiences because pairing a prestige director like Aster with two high-profile stars on a secretive project generates significant industry buzz, and the progress of these talks offers an early signal of what film projects are shaping up for release in the near future.
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Originally published by Deadline as “Jacob Elordi Circling Ari Aster’s Next Film At A24 Starring Scarlett Johansson”.