The Conjuring Franchise, The Conjuring Last Rites, The Conjuring Prequel will be before this case.

Warner Bros Officially Developing New Conjuring Prequel, An Older Case With A Fresh Duo

ByMusu Murray

“The Conjuring” universe’s door has swung open once again. Yup. A new Conjuring prequel movie is officially in the works, proving that in horror, “the end” is just a suggestion. Despite “The Conjuring: Last Rites” being touted as the grand finale for our favorite ghost-hunting couple, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have decided the restless spirits aren’t done with us yet.

What Do We Know About the New Conjuring Prequel Movie?

The Conjuring Franchise, The Conjuring 2, The Nun Portrait in the Warrens office, The Conjuring Prequel will be before this case.
Screenshot of The Conjuring 2, Courtesy of Warner Bros

It’s a classic Hollywood move. Announce a “final chapter,” rake in the cash from emotional fans saying their goodbyes, and then—surprise!—a new project appears. After the “final” installment annihilated the box office with a staggering $487 million globally, it was probably a no-brainer for the studio. Money talks, and in this case, it’s screaming for more demonic shenanigans, even if it means going back and past the original.

According to reports, this Conjuring prequel is set to rewind the clock and explore the early days of Ed and Lorraine Warren. This means we’re likely going back to a time before they were the world-renowned paranormal investigators we know and love. Think of it as “The Warrens: Year One,” where they’re figuring out how to tell a mischievous ghost from a truly malevolent entity.

Behind the scenes, some familiar names from “The Conjuring” universe are returning for this Conjuring prequel. Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, who penned the script for “The Nun II”, are back on writing duties. Good news or bad, it depends on how you felt about that particular habit-wearing demon’s latest outing. In the director’s chair, Rodrigue Huart, known for his short film “Transylvanie”, is reportedly in talks. Giving a relatively new director the keys to a billion-dollar franchise is a bold move, but it could inject some fresh blood.

Will Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga Return?

The Conjuring Franchise, The Conjuring Last Rites, The Warrens at a presentation, The Conjuring Prequel will be before this case.
Screenshot of The Conjuring: Last Rite, Courtesy of Warner Bros

Will we see Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their iconic roles? The short answer is… probably not. The Conjuring prequel will likely focus on the Warrens’ younger years; it’s almost certain that we’ll see two new actors stepping into their shoes. Wilson and Farmiga’s chemistry is the heart and soul of this franchise; their portrayal of Ed and Lorraine’s unwavering love is what grounds the supernatural chaos.

Both Wilson and Farmiga have already shared emotional goodbyes to the franchise on social media, treating “The Conjuring: Last Rite” as their final curtain call. Farmiga posted a touching tribute to her “fake marriage” with Wilson, while he expressed his overwhelming gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans. Unless this Conjuring prequel features some flash-forward framing device, prepare to meet a new Ed and Lorraine. Finding a new pair who can capture that same magic will be the ultimate challenge.

What Does This Mean For “The Conjuring” Universe?

The Conjuring Franchise, The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It, The Warrens are in a morgue, The Conjuring Prequel will be before this case.
Screenshot of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Courtesy of Warner Bros

Horror franchises have a long and glorious history of lying about being finished. Fans on Reddit were quick to point out that series like “Final Destination“, “Saw”, “Lake Placid”, and even “The Omen” have all slapped “The Final Chapter” on a movie, only to churn out more later. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” director Michael Chaves insisted it was “absolutely the end,” but in the world of studio blockbusters, “the end” is often just the beginning of a new trilogy.

With nine films and counting, “The Conjuring” universe has become a sprawling cinematic tapestry of interconnected horror. From the main series to the creepy doll spin-offs with “Annabelle” and the religious horror of “The Nun,” this franchise has proven it has legs. This new Conjuring prequel movie is just the next logical step in expanding the lore and keeping the brand alive.

Final Thoughts: Going Back to the Rookie Paranormal Investigators

So, while we say a bittersweet farewell to the Wilson-Farmiga era, we can brace ourselves for a whole new generation of paranormal terror. The Conjuring prequel is another lifeline to keep “The Conjuring” universe alive by taking us back to the very beginning. It’s also an assumption that the story will focus more on establishing the Warrens’ start-up on a key investigation that establishes them among the Paranormal world. If this new prequel performs well, we could be heading into the Younger Warren investigations.

Musu Murray is a graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Chemistry & B.A. in Illustration Visual Communication. She can understand the technical jargon but prefers writing easy-to-digest reports that get straight to the point. She is a massive horror fan and loves the arts. When she's not writing, you can find her either at her easel desk painting, or bundled up in the dark watching cult classics. From gaming to gardening, she will get her hands on whatever topic she finds.

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