The Conjuring universe is expanding, as New Line plans to cash in on a second Annabelle sequel, set to open in the U.S. on the 3rd of July, 2019. Gary Dauberman, who penned the screenplay for the first two instalments, will stand behind the camera for the first time on the as-yet-untitled Annabelle movie. Dauberman will also remain on screenwriting duties. The project will be produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster and the Peter Safran Company.
A billion dollar franchise
The four Conjuring/Annabelle movies have made over $1.1bn combined, worldwide. The fifth instalment, The Nun, is set to make its U.S. debut on the 7th of September, 2018. Dauberman teamed up with Wan on the screenplay for The Nun. His other credits include being one of the three writers for It (2017), along with the upcoming 2019 sequel, It: Chapter 2.
The success of the Conjuring franchise and It illustrate just how big the horror genre has become. Audiences have enjoyed scares for generations but perhaps none more so than now. With seemingly endless sequels and remakes (we’re about to see the return of Michael Myers and Jason to the big screen), the studios seem to know what it is that horror fans want. The genre’s success isn’t limited to film, either. Of course, there are novels, many of which are the inspiration behind the movies. There are also countless video games, such as Resident Evil (1996), Outlast (2013), and the Ghost Slider slot from Party Casino. Party Casino is one of the most trustworthy sites on the web and even offers a $500 bonus and 120 free spins to help ease the scare factor.
An expensive doll
The first Annabelle movie, spun off from The Conjuring (2013), was directed by John R. Leonetti. David F. Sandberg took the helm for the prequel, Annabelle: Creation (2017). Both low-budget productions were box office successes, with Annabelle scoring $257mn worldwide, and Annabelle: Creation making over $300mn. A key aspect of the story in the Conjuring series (the porcelain doll) was based on a story told by real-life private investigators, Lorraine and Ed Warren. The Warrens were played by Vera Farming and Patrick Wilson.
Possibilities
Details of the new Annabelle instalment remain confidential but it’s believed that the doll, which is possessed by a demon, will once again be a feature. There has been speculation that the timeline may be set somewhere between the prequel and the original movie, which took place in 1955 and 1967, respectively. There’s also a possibility, however, that it will be set in the future, possibly in the 70s, when the doll is safely locked away in the Warrens’ house. Atomic Monster is working on post-production on The Nun, as well as producing horror The Children (2018), on which Dauberman is credited as producer. Wan and Safran are working together on producing Aquaman (2018). Safran is also producing Shazam! (2019).
Dauberman is represented by ICM Partners, Felker Toczek’s Eric Suddleson, and Industry Entertainment’s Lars Theriot. The news of the upcoming Annabelle project was initially revealed by The Hollywood Reporter.
