Just when we thought The Conjuring had concluded with Last Rites, the franchise has confirmed that a prequel is officially in development at Warner Bros. and New Line.
According to Variety, Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, both of whom are credited as screenwriters on The Nun II (2023), are on board to pen the scripts, while Rodrigue Huart, known for his short film Transylvanie (2023) is in talks to direct.
Currently, no deals have closed, and it is also unclear if Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson will return in any capacity. However, after this year’s instalment, The Conjuring: Last Rites, earned $487 million globally at the box office, it’s clear there’s a high demand for paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren to take on more cases.
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Speaking with ComicBook in October, Last Rites director Michael Chaves reiterated that it was the “final chapter” and “absolutely the end,” but as has been the case with other horror franchises, it appears he was wrong. Across Reddit, fans have noted that the Saw, Lake Placid and The Omen franchises have all done the same, declaring the end before bringing out further instalments.
While details surrounding The Conjuring prequel are limited, the upcoming film is expected to go back to the beginning, following the couple during their earliest years as demonologists. With this in mind, two new actors will likely enter the fray as Ed and Lorraine.
Warner Bros.
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After working on The Conjuring films for the past 12 years, Farmiga and Wilson have both said their goodbyes to the franchise. Taking to Instagram in November 2024, Farmiga praised her co-star in a heartwarming post.
“Roundabout 5,000 days ago, this guy and I signed a WB contract and said ‘I do’ to embodying Ed and Lorraine Warren,” she began.
“Today, he wraps. I have another 12 hours of laughter and insanity with him and then abruptly, he will walk off set, peel off sweat-soaked demonologist garb, shave off his side burns, flash that dazzling smile and bid our fake marriage adieu. Yeah… I got them feels today. It was a match made in heaven, PWilz. A hell of an era. Here’s to 12 years. I cherish you, @thereelpatrickwilson.”
Warner Bros.
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Likewise, Wilson has commemorated the end of an era on his account. “As the sun sets on the Conjuring franchise… I am overwhelmed,” he wrote.
“There aren’t enough thanks to go around for the thousands of people who’ve contributed to the making of these films… and the millions who’ve watched them. @verafarmiga … what to say? Our fake marriage has lasted longer than many real ones. I adore you. @michaelchaves You have beautifully taken the reins, and I can’t WAIT to see this one put together.”
A franchise that has expanded into a fully-fledged film universe, The Conjuring currently consists of nine movies, including: The Conjuring (2013), Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Annabelle: Creation (2017), The Nun (2018), Annabelle Comes Home (2019), The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), The Nun II (2023), The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025).
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Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.Â