Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi is in talks to co-star opposite Scarlett Johansson in Scapegoat, the upcoming A24 thriller directed by Ari Aster from his own script. As Elordi evaluates his next career move following a grueling nine-month shoot for Frankenstein, the project eyes a November production start.
Hollywood moves fast, but Ari Aster takes his time. Fresh off deciding on his next cinematic pivot, the auteur has zeroed in on his fifth feature film with A24, the studio that has distributed his previous four movies including Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid, and Eddington. According to reporting by Deadline, Aster met with several actors for the film’s high-profile secondary role, but had only one person in mind to lead alongside Johansson: Jacob Elordi.
The Bottom Line
- The Project: Jacob Elordi is in talks to join Scarlett Johansson in Ari Aster’s upcoming A24 thriller, Scapegoat.
- Behind the Camera: Ari Aster wrote the script and will direct, with Aster and partner Lars Knudsen producing through their Square Peg banner. Darius Khondji is reportedly returning as cinematographer, as noted by World of Reel.
- Production Timeline: Negotiations started last week, with the production eyeing a November start date for a potential 2027 release.
Weighing the Plot Speculation and Creative Ambitions
While official plot details remain tightly under wraps by A24 and the filmmakers, industry insiders and early reports paint a fascinating picture of what to expect. According to details outlined by Deadline, speculation ranges wildly: some sources suggest a sci-fi romance, others point to a more traditional drama, and a few whisper about a thriller centered on a medical professional operating on an internet-famous individual. World of Reel adds further texture, reporting that the narrative may follow a surgeon played by Johansson whose career collapses after a viral social media influencer dies during a routine operation, sparking public outrage and a relentless pursuit of answers from the influencer’s grieving family.
Here is the kicker: if these narrative beats hold true, Scapegoat acts as a spiritual sequel to Eddington in Aster’s desire to continue making movies about the toxicity of current society. In an era dominated by franchise fatigue and risk-averse studio slates, Aster remains one of the few U.S. directors swinging for the fences.
An Unstoppable Career Trajectory for Elordi
Elordi’s stock in Hollywood has ascended over the past twelve months. Following a turn in Frankenstein—which earned him his first Academy Award nomination—Elordi has carefully weighed his next moves. After a grueling nine-month shoot, he took a much-needed break before fielding multiple offers. According to Deadline’s reporting, Elordi had a slate of projects to choose from before zeroing in on Aster’s thriller.
The past year alone has seen Elordi cement his status as a premier leading man. He starred in Warner Bros.’ adaptation of Wuthering Heights opposite Margot Robbie, made his return to television for the final season of Euphoria, and is set to star in Ridley Scott’s action thriller The Dog Stars alongside Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin.
Production Landscape and Studio Ecosystem
The synergy between Ari Aster and A24 continues to define modern independent prestige cinema. Since breaking out with Hereditary, Aster’s Square Peg banner has enjoyed a creative partnership with the distributor. With Darius Khondji returning as director of photography—following his work on Marty Supreme, as noted by World of Reel—the visual pedigree of Scapegoat is already locked in.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director / Writer | Ari Aster |
| Lead Cast | Scarlett Johansson, Jacob Elordi (in talks) |
| Studio / Distributor | A24 |
| Production Banner | Square Peg (Ari Aster & Lars Knudsen) |
| Cinematography | Darius Khondji |
| Target Production Start | November |
As negotiations wrap up, casting announcements for remaining key roles are expected to drop in the coming weeks. If the deal closes cleanly, cameras will roll later this year, setting the stage for A24 to unleash another harrowing, high-stakes cinematic experience upon audiences.
The Cultural Footprint of A24’s Newest Bet
Drop a comment below: Do you think Elordi and Johansson make the ultimate pairing for Aster’s bleak cinematic universe?
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