Michael Chaves Directing Fourth ‘Conjuring’ Movie

‘The Conjuring 4’ to be Directed by Franchise Veteran Michael Chaves

Chaves, who has directed several films in the horror series already, will be back for what appears to be the final main film featuring the warrens.

(L to R) Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Preview:

Michael Chaves has closed a deal to direct the next ‘Conjuring’ Movie.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are likely to return as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The movie could signal the end of the main ‘Conjuring’ run.

The ‘Conjuring’ movies have long become one of the most successful horror franchises since James Wan made the 2013 original, which went on to earn nearly $320 million worldwide from a $20 million budget.

It has spawned not just sequels but also spin-offs, including the ‘Annabelle’ movies (about the diabolical doll who lurks in the Warren’s collection of haunted objects) and the ‘Nun’ films (which fill in the backstory of the demonic habit-wearer who briefly appears in ‘The Conjuring 2’. All told, the movies have so far made a combined $2.1 billion at the worldwide box office.

It’s somewhat surprising to learn, then, that the fourth –– which currently has no official title but was at one point called ‘Last Rites’ –– could bring the films to a close, at least those directly featuring paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

We do now know, though that Michael Chaves, who directed ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ (which isn’t technically part of the ‘Conjuring’ universe but has seen a character crossover into the ‘Annabelle’ movies and was produced by Wan), ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ (the third in the main series), and, most recently, ‘The Nun II’ is officially aboard for the new movie.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

"The demonic case that shocked America."

R1 hr 51 minJun 4th, 2021

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Online

What’s the story of the new ‘Conjuring’ movie?

(L to R) Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson in 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Nothing has been released about the potential story for the new movie, though the end of ‘The Nun II’ saw Ed and Lorraine show up, pointing to a possible crossover between the main movies and the nun-centric spin-off.

Here’s what Chavez told Screen Rant about the connection back in September:

“In terms of the exorcism of Maurice, that’s always been a center, a cornerstone marker in the timeline and I think it's up to interpretation. It's also, I think there's a lot of things that need to align, so it could go a couple different ways. As an audience member, I would 100% see a crossover of all Conjuring demons. I couldn’t give away what I know about what's being developed, but I know that they're going to end with a bang. I know that there is a great finale being planned for ‘Last Rites’ and as to what or who's in it… I don’t want to give away any spoilers.”

Regular writer David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick returned for the new movie, and the cameras should be rolling this summer in Atlanta, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Who will be in the new ‘Conjuring’ movie?

(L to R) Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson in 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

We can assume Wilson and Farmiga will return, and possibly either McKenna Grace or someone else playing their daughter Judy. The movies have usually tended to be stand-alone cases, so a new cast around the leads is likely.

What of the ‘Conjuring’ TV series?

Even if the movies do come to an end –– and more spin-offs are likely anyway –– there is still the ‘Conjuring’ TV series in development at Max. The creative team has stayed quiet as to what that might include, but if greenlit, the series will surely continue to bring fresh terror.