And it is understandable. For the last decade, multitask filmmaker James Wan has been involved in some of the most relevant horror titles. Since he created the SAW franchise with that short film back in 2003 and co-writing and directing the first title of a long successful series with Saw (2004), many things have happened. At the moment he is filming what, to the date, might be the most important movie of his career, Aquaman, expected to burn box offices in 2018. And we are talking about a man who made his Furious Seven (2015) from the Fast and Furious franchise one of the highest grossing films of all time. Wan’s agenda must be as furious, that’s why he has been forced to pass the chance to direct The Conjuring 3.
Wan was behind the cameras in the first two installments of the series, The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2 (2016), but New Line Cinema don’t want to waste much time and is already working on the third episode of the series. The film is currently being written by David Leslie Johnson, who already was co-writer of The Conjuring 2 (2016) and adapted for the screen Orphan (2009). It is more than probable that the two main stars of the film series, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, will return as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Last year, during the promotional tour for The Conjuring 2 (2016), James Wan joked about the possibility the third of the movies might be about werewolves. “Maybe we can go and do it like a classic American Werewolf in London (1981) style. That would be awesome! The Warrens set against the backdrop of The Hound of Baskerville (1939)”. Well, it would be awesome indeed! Some flesh and bone creatures to menace tranquility since those spirits and haunted houses are already too spoiled and overused. Also, a funny thing to compare the Warrens with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I like the point, I really do. But now that James Wan is out of the production, it is unknown if this first idea is still considered as being the main plot for the third film of the series. All we know at the moment is the couple will be investigating a case set in the 1980’s.
If you are the kind that can’t wait to see the adventures of the Warrens in action, remember there are 2 spin-offs on the way, both based on stories by James Wan. The Nun (2018) will come out in July next year, and the production for The Crooked Man was recently announced. With these precedents, I suppose it is fair to think The Conjuring 3 won’t see the light until 2019 or 2020. We’ll keep you informed!
