The Conjuring Universe
The Conjuring Universe is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of supernatural horror films, produced by New Line Cinema, The Safran Company and Atomic Monster Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The films present a dramatization of the supposed real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent yet controversial cases of haunting. The main series follows their attempts to assist people who find themselves possessed by demonic spirits, while the spin-off films focus on the origins of some of the entities the Warrens have encountered.
The franchise has been commercially successful, having grossed a combined $1.9billion against a combined budget of $139.5million, becoming the second highest-grossing horror franchise ever behind Godzilla.
Overview
The franchise consists of two films in the main series, The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2, both directed by James Wan, co-produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, and co-written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The first two installments revolve around two of the many famous paranormal cases of which the Warrens have been a part, with the first film depicting the case of the Perron family, who are experiencing disturbing events in their newly acquired house in Rhode Island. The second entry focused on the controversial case of the Enfield poltergeist while briefly referring to the events that inspired The Amityville Horror. A sequel to the two films, ', is in post-production, with Michael Chaves serving as director, and is scheduled for release on June 4, 2021. The third entry will revolve around the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, a murder that took place in 1981 in Connecticut.The franchise also includes Annabelle, a prequel directed by The Conjuring cinematographer John R. Leonetti and produced by Safran and Wan, which revealed the events of the doll of the same name before the Warrens came into contact with it at the start of the first film. A prequel, ', directed by David F. Sandberg shows the events of the origins of the demon-manipulated doll. A third Annabelle film, Annabelle Comes Home, was released on June 26, 2019, with franchise writer Gary Dauberman making his directorial debut from a script he wrote. Producer James Wan has likened the story to Night at the Museum, where Annabelle activates the haunted objects in the Warrens' artifact room.
The Nun, a prequel based on a character introduced in The Conjuring 2, was released in 2018. The plot focused on the origins of the demonic nun Valak before coming in contact with the Warrens. In April 2019, a sequel to The Nun was announced with Akela Cooper penning the script and Wan and Safran co-producing the project.
In addition to The Nun, another spin-off film from The Conjuring 2, titled The Crooked Man, is in development. A standalone film, The Curse of La Llorona, was released in April 2019.
The two Conjuring films were met with generally positive reviews by both critics and horror fans, earning praise for Wan's directing and main cast performances, particularly Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga's on-screen chemistry as Ed and Lorraine. Critics also acknowledged the effect the films have had on popular culture as well as in the production of modern horror films. The first entry in the Annabelle film series received more mixed to negative reviews, being considered by many as an inferior film to its forerunner. Annabelle: Creation was met with generally positive reviews. A sequel to both Annabelle films, Annabelle Comes Home, received mixed reviews. The Nun and The Curse of La Llorona, on the other hand, received generally mixed to negative reviews. The two main films and its five spin-offs have proven themselves to be successful at the box office, having combined earnings of over $1.8billion worldwide, against a combined budget of $139.5million, making the Conjuring Universe the second highest-grossing horror franchise in history and one of the most critically acclaimed.
Development
Development began over 20 years before the first film's debut, when Ed Warren played a tape of Lorraine Warren's original interview with Carolyn Perron for producer Tony DeRosa-Grund. DeRosa-Grund made a recording of Warren playing back the tape and of their subsequent discussion. At the end of the tape, Warren said to DeRosa-Grund, "If we can't make this into a film I don't know what we can." DeRosa-Grund then described his vision of the film for Ed.DeRosa-Grund wrote the original treatment and titled the project The Conjuring. For nearly 14 years, he tried to get the film made without any success. He originally landed a deal to make the film at Gold Circle Films, the production company behind The Haunting in Connecticut, but a contract could not be finalized and the deal was dropped.
DeRosa-Grund allied with producer Peter Safran, and sibling writers Chad and Carey W. Hayes were brought on board to refine the script. Using DeRosa-Grund's treatment and the Ed Warren tape, the Hayes brothers changed the story's point of view from the Perron family to that of the Warrens. The brothers interviewed Lorraine many times over the phone to clarify details. By mid-2009, the property became the subject of a six-studio bidding war that landed the film at Summit Entertainment; however, DeRosa-Grund and Summit could not conclude the transaction and the film went into turnaround. DeRosa-Grund reconnected with New Line Cinema, who had lost in the original bidding war, and the studio ultimately picked up the film. On November 11, 2009, a deal was made between New Line and DeRosa-Grund's Evergreen Media Group.
Films
Timeline
| Year | Feature films |
| 1952 | The Nun |
| 1955 | ' |
| 1967 | Annabelle |
| 1971 | The Conjuring |
| 1972 | Annabelle Comes Home |
| 1973 | The Curse of La Llorona |
| 1977 | The Conjuring 2 |
| 1981 | ' |
All eight films of the Conjuring Universe take place between 1952 and 1981.
''The Conjuring'' series
''The Conjuring'' (2013)
In January 2012, Bloody Disgusting confirmed Wan as the director of a film entitled The Warren Files, later retitled The Conjuring, centering on the real-life exploits of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a married couple who investigated paranormal events. In his second collaboration with Wan, Patrick Wilson starred alongside Vera Farmiga in the main roles of Ed and Lorraine. Production commenced in Wilmington, North Carolina in February 2012, and scenes were shot in chronological order. The film focused on the Warrens' 1971 case in which they investigated a witch's curse at a farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The Conjuring was released on July 19, 2013, to positive reviews. It earned $318million worldwide against a budget of $20million, and becoming one of the most profitable horror films in history.''The Conjuring 2'' (2016)
In June 2013, it was reported that New Line Cinema was already developing a sequel, with both Farmiga and Wilson signed on to reprise their roles. On October 21, it was announced that Wan would return to direct the sequel and would make his first contribution as a writer in the franchise. Principal photography began in September 2015 in Los Angeles, and concluded in December 2015 in London. The film focused on the Enfield Poltergeist case in London in 1977, while briefly referring to the events that inspired The Amityville Horror. It was released on June 10, 2016, to positive reviews from both critics and audiences; some agreed that the film was vastly superior to other horror sequels, while others debated whether the film had surpassed its predecessor in quality. Proving to be similarly successful to the first entry in the series, the film became another profitable addition to the franchise, having earned $320.3million worldwide from a budget of $40million, and becoming the second highest-grossing horror film of all time, following The Exorcist.''The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It'' (2021)
In 2016, Wan stated that though he would not be directing another film in the series, due to scheduling conflicts, "there could be many more movies because the Warrens have so many stories", acknowledging that "there are other filmmakers that I would love to sort of continue on the Conjuring world". Wan stated that the next film in the series would take place during the 1980s and spoke of ideas for the films to explore lycanthropy, citing American Werewolf in London and The Hound of the Baskervilles as inspiration. In May 2017, Safran stated that the next film would not be a haunted house movie. By June of the same year, it was announced a third installment was in development, with David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick hired to write the screenplay. In August 2017, Wan explained that the third movie had been in development a long time, as all the creative minds involved wanted it to live up to the quality of the previous two films.In October 2018, Michael Chaves was announced as the film's director, after previously directing The Curse of La Llorona. Wan stated he was impressed while working with Chaves on the film, and that Chaves would make a great addition to the creative team. Wilson and Farmiga are set to reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, with the plot reportedly revolving around the real-life "Devil Made Me Do It" case, a legal trial where the defendant claimed to have been possessed during the crimes of which he is accused. Production began on June 3, 2019. The film was initially scheduled for a September 11, 2020 release, before being pushed to June 4, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
''Annabelle'' series
''Annabelle'' (2014)
A spin-off film, focusing on the origins of the Annabelle doll that was introduced in The Conjuring, was announced shortly after the release of its forerunner, mainly due to the film's worldwide box office success, and positive reception towards the character. Production began in January 2014 in Los Angeles. The plot focused on John and Mia Form, a married couple expecting a child, whose vintage doll, Annabelle, gets possessed by a vengeful spirit after a cult group breaks into their home and is murdered. The film was directed by The Conjuring cinematographer John R. Leonetti and produced by Safran and Wan, with Gary Dauberman behind the script. The film was released worldwide on October 3, 2014, to major commercial success, becoming the 14th most profitable horror film in North America, despite receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics and fans alike. Many critics found Annabelle to be an inferior film compared to The Conjuring.''Annabelle: Creation'' (2017)
In October 2015, it was confirmed that an Annabelle sequel was in development; it was later revealed that the film would be a prequel rather than a sequel. Filming began in June 2016 in Los Angeles. The plot of the film centers on a dollmaker and his wife, whose daughter tragically died twelve years earlier, as they decide to open their home to a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage; the dollmaker's possessed creation Annabelle sets her sights on the children and turns their shelter into a storm of horror. Lights Out director David F. Sandberg replaced Leonetti as director, with Dauberman returning to write the script and Safran and Wan returning to produce. The film was released worldwide on August 11, 2017, to critical and commercial success. Most critics found Annabelle: Creation to be a vast improvement over its predecessor.''Annabelle Comes Home'' (2019)
In early April 2018, Warner Bros. announced July 3, 2019 as the release date for an as-yet untitled new film in the Conjuring Universe. Later that month, it was announced that the film will be a third Annabelle film, with Gary Dauberman signed on to write and direct the film in his directorial debut, based on a story treatment written by Dauberman and James Wan. Wan and Peter Safran will co-produce the project. In May 2019, the release date for the film was moved to June 26, 2019.During the 2018 SDCC, Wan and Safran revealed the film's events would take place after Annabelle and would focus on the doll after she was kept in the glass box in the Warrens' museum; Dauberman later confirmed this by stating that the film will take place shortly after the beginning of The Conjuring where the titular character is introduced, but also before many of the events of the franchise's first installment. Wilson and Farmiga were also announced to reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren. By September, Michael Burgess was hired as the film's cinematographer. Later that month, Mckenna Grace and Madison Iseman were cast in the film as Judy Warren, the Warrens' 10-year-old daughter, and one of Judy's teenage babysitters. By October, Katie Sarife had joined the cast. Production commenced in October 2018 in Los Angeles, and finished in December of the same year. The film was released on June 26, 2019.
''The Nun'' series
''The Nun'' (2018)
In June 2016, it was reported that a spin-off film titled The Nun, featuring the "Demon Nun" character Valak from The Conjuring 2, was in development with The Conjuring 2 co-scribe David Leslie Johnson writing the script, and Wan and Safran set to produce the project. In February of the following year, it was announced that Corin Hardy had signed on to direct. Gary Dauberman was also reported to have written a new screenplay based on a story treatment from James Wan and Dauberman. In April 2017, it was revealed Demián Bichir had joined the cast in the lead role. That same month, Taissa Farmiga joined the cast of the film, in the titular role. Bonnie Aarons will reprise her role in the film. The plot of the film follows a nun, a priest and a novitiate as they investigate an unholy secret and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun. Filming began in May 2017 in Bucharest, Romania and the film was released on September 7, 2018.Untitled ''The Nun'' film (TBA)
In August 2017, Wan discussed a possibility for a Nun sequel and what its storyline may be: "I do know where potentially, if The Nun works out, where The Nun 2 could lead to and how that ties back to Lorraine's story that we've set up with the first two Conjurings and make it all come full circle."In April 2019, it was announced by Peter Safran that a sequel is in development, stating that there is a "really fun" storyline planned for the film, and commenting that there is an "inevitability to another The Nun movie". Later that month, Akela Cooper signed onto the project as screenwriter, while Safran and Wan will serve as producers. Bonnie Aarons will be reprising her role as Valak, the demon nun.
Other films
''The Curse of La Llorona'' (2019)
In October 2017, it was announced that James Wan was producing a horror film directed by Michael Chaves and starring Linda Cardellini, which was then titled The Children. By July 2018, the film was retitled The Curse of La Llorona. Though marketed as a standalone film, there is a nod to the Conjuring Universe in the form of Tony Amendola, who reprises his role from Annabelle as Father Perez. The character gives direction to the family being tormented by the titular spirit, and relates the haunting to his experiences with the demonic entity attached to the doll.Raymond Cruz, Patricia Velásquez and Sean Patrick Thomas co-star, with the project wrapping principal photography in November 2017. The Curse of La Llorona premiered at South by Southwest on March 15, 2019, to mixed reviews. The film was released on April 19, 2019.
''The Crooked Man'' (TBA)
In May 2017, Safran stated that the Crooked Man was being considered by the studio, for a feature film. By June of the same year, it was reported that a spin-off film titled The Crooked Man, featuring the character of the same name from The Conjuring 2, was in development with Mike Van Waes writing the script based on a story treatment by James Wan. Wan and Safran are set to produce the project. Wan later told Entertainment Weekly that The Crooked Man is in the early stages of development and that the intent with the movie is to develop a "dark fairytale" sub-genre of horror films.By September 2018, Safran gave an update on the project stating that the script was in progress of being written and that the studio intends to wait until the story is fully developed before production will begin. He further explained that the intention is for each of the different films in the franchise to have its own style.
Short films
In July 2017, Warner Bros. Pictures, in conjunction with James Wan, announced the "My Annabelle Creation" competition as a promotion for the then-upcoming film Annabelle: Creation. Participants of the competition were to shoot a short film which would "feel like could exist within the established Conjuring world", with the winning films' directors having their films made a part of the shared film universe, and winning a trip to Los Angeles to meet with David F. Sandberg, the director of the film. The entry deadline was July 27, 2017, with five separate competition winners being selected from the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Sweden and Colombia.''The Nurse''
The winner from the United States competition was Julian Terry for his short film The Nurse. Just under 2 minutes in length and filmed over four days, it was released on August 16, 2017.The short film begins with Emily, a young girl with bandages wrapped around her eyes, hearing the door to her ward opening and the scraping sound of a gurney moving. As she goes outside to investigate, holding onto her drip for balance, a strange nurse approaches, whom Emily cannot see. Panicking, she gets back to her ward and hits the call button for help. The nurse appears and tells Emily in a normal voice that she can remove the bandaging. Emily turns around to see the nurse's disfigured, demonic face smiling back at her. Emily screams in terror as the film ends, leaving her fate unknown.
''The Confession''
The Confession is a 2017 British horror short film directed by Liam Banks which was the winner of the United Kingdom competition. Just over 2 minutes in length and filmed over one week, it was released on August 26, 2017.The short film revolves around a psychologically-damaged young woman named Fiona who seeks refuge in her local church, confiding in a priest regarding her terrifying encounters with supernatural entities. Having escaped the evil within her house however, she finds that something far darker sits in the confession booth next to her.
''What's Wrong With Mom?''
What's Wrong With Mom? is a 2017 Mexican horror short film directed by Raúl Bribiesca which was the winner of the Mexican competition. Exactly 2 minutes in length and filmed in a single take, it was released on September 4, 2017.Something is happening to mom. Her daughter starts praying for her mom's health but soon she will find out what is happening to her. The film revolves around a father and daughter as they're praying to God to exorcise the mother of the "Marifer", a teleporting demon possessing her.
''Blund's Lullaby''
Blund's Lullaby is a 2017 Swedish horror short film directed by Amanda Nilsson and Magda Lindblom, which was the winner of the Swedish competition. Just over 2 minutes in length, the film was inspired by the Nordic version of the Sandman, known as John Blund. The Short film was released on September 14, 2017.''Innocent Souls''
Innocent Souls is a 2017 Colombian horror short film directed by Alejandro López. The film was written and produced also by Alejandro López. Innocent Souls was the winner of the Colombian competition. The short film was released on November 3, 2017.Recurring cast and characters
This table lists the main characters who appear in the Conjuring Universe, in alphabetical order by the character's last name.Additional crew and production details
Reception
Box office performance
The franchise has been notable for its profit, with The Conjuring and its follow-up having earned a combined profit of $260million, according to Deadline, while Annabelle managed to make 40 times its $6.5million budget. Film critic and box office expert Scott Mendelson of Forbes has called the franchise the "first successful post–Marvel Cinematic Universe".Critical response
Lawsuits
Norma Sutcliffe and Gerald Helfrich, previous owners of the house on which The Conjuring was based, have sued Wan, Warner Bros. and other producers in 2015 because their property was being constantly vandalized as a consequence of the film. Entertainment Weekly obtained documents in which the owners affirm various invasions and ratify that they have found numerous objects affiliated with satanic cults. The lawsuit also reveals that the previous owners bought the house in 1987 and lived "in peace" until 2013. Both owners had been seeking unspecified damages. When questioned, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. declined to comment on the issue.Gerald Brittle, author of a book about the Warrens called The Demonologist, filed a $900million lawsuit on March 29, 2017, against Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, James Wan and others, claiming that he had the exclusive rights to the Warrens' story and that it had been illegally stolen by the studios and producers. The case was scheduled to go to trial on April 16, 2018, with a Warner Bros. spokesperson commenting, "We're pleased the Court significantly narrowed the case and look forward to addressing the remaining claims at summary judgment. Mr. Brittle's claims are not only without merit, but contradict Mr. Brittle's prior admissions in other failed lawsuits concerning The Conjuring movies". However, on December 13, 2017, Warner Bros. settled the lawsuit, revealing that Tony DeRosa-Grund, the producer of the original film, was the "mastermind" behind the lawsuit, without Brittle ever having been involved. A spokesperson commented, "New Line has contended all along that DeRosa-Grund was the mastermind behind the lawsuit, was controlling and directing the lawsuit, and had attempted to enter into secret side deals with Brittle." Brittle himself stated, "Mr. DeRosa-Grund has been controlling this litigation from the start. Based on a review of text messages between Mr. DeRosa-Grund and my attorney, I understand that he even threatened my attorneys that if they sent information from me without him seeing it first they would be fired." Brittle went into further detail in the settlement. This follows repeated failed lawsuits by DeRosa-Grund to Warner Bros. for claims of owed millions of dollars from the franchise to the point where he was getting into trouble with the courts and reached a settlement with Warner Bros. to never sue them again for anything related to the franchise.