James Wan Teases The Nun And How A Sequel Would Connect To The Conjuring

Writer-director James Wan says he already has an idea for a sequel to The Nun that would bring the character’s tale in The Conjuring films full circle. Wan, as fans know, is the architect of The Conjuring Universe, which has creatively tied the first two Conjuring films together with the possessed doll spinoffs Annabelle and Annabelle: Creation, as well as the upcoming horror thriller The Nun.

Based on the case files of real-life demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, Wan has demonstrated through the first four films in the saga that a shared cinematic universe can be built not only through subtle tie-ins from one film to the next, but by creating a similar atmosphere that all comes from the same place.

The titular character in The Nun was introduced in The Conjuring 2 as a demonic spirit that manifests itself and terrorizes Lorraine (Vera Farmiga). Much in the same way the side character of Annabelle frightened audiences and merited its spinoff films, The Nun has done the same for the ghastly apparition, which briefly appears in Annabelle: Creation. Her own tale is set for July 2018 release.

Wan, who is writing and producing The Nun – but not directing due to his previous commitment at the helm of Aquaman – tells THR that should The Nun merit a sequel, he already has an idea sketched out that ties it into the wider world. He says:

“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 all full circle.”

In all likelihood, a sequel to The Nun will happen. With Wan’s attachment (he describes the film as cross between the religious mystery thriller The Name of the Rose and The Conjuring), viewers will easily get the type of scares and haunting atmosphere that he’s helped deliver in The Conjuring and Annabelle films; and he’s certainly employed the right talent (Demian Birchir and Taissa Farmiga are among the cast members) to ensure a quality production.

On top of the that, the films in The Conjuring Universe have had relatively low budgets (from as little as $6.5 million for Annabelle and topping out at $40 million for The Conjuring 2), so the threshold to get solid returns should be easily achievable to justify another film. With Annabelle: Creation virtually guaranteed to be a hit with a projected $36 million box office this weekend against a $15 million budget – and another Conjuring 2 spinoff movie on the way with The Crooked Man, as well as The Conjuring 3 – there should be more than enough momentum for Wan to complete his vision with a sequel to The Nun.

KEY RELEASE DATES
Annabelle: Creation release date: Aug 11, 2017
The Nun release date: Jul 13, 2018