Scapegoat: Jacob Elordi in Talks to Star in Ari Aster's New Film
Scarlett Johansson is already attached to the cast
The cast of the new Ari Aster film is slowly taking shape. Most recently, the director was able to secure Hollywood A-lister Scarlett Johansson for his project titled "Scapegoat." Now, the industry website Deadline is reporting on another big name: Jacob Elordi is set to join the cast.
What is known about Scapegoat?
Talks are currently underway with the "Euphoria" star. It remains unclear what role the actor is set to play. In general, very little is known about "Scapegoat" at this point. There is some speculation surrounding the film's premise. Some reports mention a doctor who operates on a popular internet personality. Some insiders describe it as a science-fiction romance, while others say it's a more traditional drama. None of this has been confirmed yet.
With Aster, however, it's safe to expect an extraordinary and unconventional concept. Although the director is best known for his horror films "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," he proved with his latest film, "Eddington," that he's capable of exploring other genres and approaches as well.
Another Collaboration with A24
It's already clear that Aster will once again be collaborating with A24 on "Scapegoat." The director's last four films were also produced by the studio. As is customary for Aster, he will not only direct "Scapegoat" but also write the screenplay. If Elordis' casting is finalized, filming is set to begin in 2026, according to Deadline. A release date has not yet been announced, but given this timeline, a theatrical release in late 2027 or 2028 seems realistic.
Before that, however, Elordi will appear on the big screen in a completely different film. The actor plays the lead role in "The Dog Stars" by Hollywood legend Ridley Scott. The film, starring Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, and Guy Pearce, is set to hit theaters on August 28, 2026. You can watch the trailer here:
Jacob Elordi: From Teen Heartthrob to Sought-After Actor
Elordi made his international breakthrough in 2018 with the Netflix rom-com "The Kissing Booth." He became known to a wide audience as Noah Flynn and reprised the role in both sequels. Elordi then took the decisive step toward more challenging roles with the HBO hit series "Euphoria." As Nate Jacobs, he has been part of the series' main cast since 2019.
At the same time, he has increasingly established himself in film. In Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla," he portrayed Elvis Presley alongside Cailee Spaeny, while he also appeared in Emerald Fennell's black comedy "Saltburn." Both films played a major role in transforming Elordi from a classic teen star into one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actors.
In 2025, Elordi appeared in Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein." In this reimagining of the classic, he took on the role of the Creature and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2026 Academy Awards. Most recently, Elordi played a role in another film adaptation of a literary classic: In "Wuthering Heights," he collaborated once again with Emerald Fennell and starred alongside "Barbie" star Margot Robbie.
Ari Aster: An Unconventional Hollywood Career
Ari Aster made his big breakthrough in 2018 with "Hereditary." In his first feature film, he tells the story of the Graham family, who, following the death of their grandmother, are confronted with increasingly eerie events and dark secrets from their past. The film blends classic horror with a family drama about grief, guilt, and familial trauma, instantly establishing Aster as one of the most exciting new directors in the genre.
Just one year later, his next major success followed with "Midsommar." In it, Florence Pugh plays Dani, who travels to a remote Swedish village with her boyfriend and his friends. What initially seems like an idyllic Midsommar celebration gradually turns into a disturbing nightmare. Unlike in "Hereditary," much of the film takes place in broad daylight. In addition to the horror elements, the story focuses primarily on grief, a relationship falling apart, and the dynamics within a cult-like community.
With "Beau Is Afraid" in 2023, Aster finally took a decidedly more surreal direction. Joaquin Phoenix plays Beau, a man plagued by fears and paranoia who embarks on a bizarre journey to see his mother. The film blends horror, black comedy, drama, and surrealist elements and is much less easily categorized into a classic genre than Aster's previous works.
His most recent film to date, "Eddington" (2025), further developed this direction. Joaquin Phoenix plays a sheriff in a small town in New Mexico who clashes with the mayor (Pedro Pascal) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This personal conflict gradually escalates into societal chaos. Political polarization, conspiracy theories, and the division of American society take center stage. Aster combines these themes with elements of dark satire and a modern Western.
In just a few years, Aster has thus demonstrated that he cannot be pigeonholed into the horror genre. While themes such as fear, paranoia, and the depths of human depravity run through his films, he continually shifts between styles and genres. Consequently, it is difficult to predict which direction "Scapegoat" will ultimately take.
