Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are set to return to the big screen with the next installment of ‘The Conjuring’ film series. A prequel is currently in the works at Warner Bros. and New Line, and short film director Rodrigue Huarte is reportedly in talks to direct.
As Variety reports, the script will be written by franchise veterans Richard Nang and Ian Goldberg. The pair is best known for co-writing the two most recent ‘The Conjuring’ films, including ‘The Nun II’ (2023) and ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’, released this September. No deal has been finalized yet.
Although ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ was initially pitched as the final installment of the paranormal series, this notion was soon shot down. The film proved to be a major success, grossing a franchise-best $487 million worldwide, making a sequel inevitable.
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It is not yet confirmed whether Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson will reprise their roles, since ‘Last Rites’ ended the Warren family story. This upcoming cinematic entry is expected to be a prequel, which will move back the timeline to focus on the ghost-hunting couple’s early years. This change means that new actors will be brought in to take over the central roles of ‘The Conjuring’ universe.
In a separate development, ‘The Conjuring’ universe is expanding on the small screen, with HBO now developing a television series that will carry on the story threads established in the feature films. Although plot specifics remain secret, the project recently hired Nancy Won as the show’s writer, executive producer, and showrunner.
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With nine films (spin-offs include ‘Annabelle’ and ‘The Nun’), ‘The Conjuring’ universe has become the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, grossing $2.7 billion overall. Additionally, these films are often low-budget, making profits quite good. James Wan created this mysterious property, while Peter Safran has served as producer for each installment.
Although Huarte’s collection does not yet include feature films, he has garnered attention for shorts such as ‘Trigger’, ‘Real’ and the award-winning ‘Transylvania’ (which won the Jury Prize at SXSW in 2024). Additionally, he is already working in longer feature films, as he directed the 1976 horror film ‘Who Can Kill a Child?’ for Paramount. Will be writing and directing the remake of ‘Safar Little Children’.