The Conjuring creators to launch horror franchise based on LaLaurie Mansion

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Chad and Carey Hayes, the creators of the Conjuring franchise, have announced that they're partnering with Cindy Bond and Doug McKay’s new studio, Faster Horse Pictures, on a series that will take horror fans inside one of the most notoriously haunted mansions ever known.

Plans are for the franchise to center around the LaLaurie Mansion, a real-life house of horrors located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Due to the mansion's horrific history, public access to the house has been banned since 1932. However, like all storied locations that carry a dark and sinister vibe, tourists still visit the exterior of the manor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the spirits and specters that are said to lurk within its hallowed halls.

According to local lore, the house made its mark on horror history after its resident, Madame LaLaurie, a New Orleans socialite and serial killer, tortured and murdered numerous slaves there in the early 1800s. When word broke about LaLaurie's slaughtering of innocents in 1834, the house was set ablaze. Rather than burn alongside the memories of her victims, LaLaurie fled the area and was never seen again.

Alongside the manor's tragic origin, the details of its ownership are also entertaining. For example, would you believe that Nicolas Cage once owned the world-famous haunted house? Perhaps that's where the oddball actor acquired so many of the demons that are obviously running through him. Heh. I'm just kidding. Or am I? For the record. I loves me some Cage, crazy eyes and all. Currently, the house is owned by Michael Whalen, a partner and collaborator with Faster Horse, who has graciously granted the studio access to the spoopy estate. Oh, and for the sake of authenticity, the Hayes brothers are toying with the idea of writing the first draft of the script while staying inside the house. Furthermore, plans are to shoot the project partially on-site. Woof! They're going to need a brave crew for this one.

As per Deadline's exclusive report, The ‘LaLaurie Mansion’ films will be developed and produced by Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes, Doug McKay, Cindy Bond and Michael Whalen. Joshua Ryan Dietz and Dylan Bond will serve as executive producers. Local historian Andrew Ward is consulting on the project.

”Building a horror franchise starts with the IP, and for us to be able to tap the LaLaurie Mansion, and its twisted history, is a major coup for Faster Horse,” said Bond about securing the location and deal.

“The LaLaurie Mansion is as scary a place as there is in the world and we won’t hold back in giving audiences the full effect. Chad and Carey will have their hands full, but they are true masters in cinematic retellings of disturbing material,” added McKay.

“We love writing films in which we get to tell true stories – incorporating moments that people can look up and discover did in fact happen. With the LaLaurie House we get to do exactly that. There is a wealth of documentation of a very dark and frightening past of true events. Not to mention that after spending some time there, what we personally experienced was truly unnerving,” said the Hayes brothers.

Ugh! I would give just about anything to spend even one night inside the LaLaurie Mansion. I'm not kidding. One of my favorite things to do while on vacation is to seek out local ghost tours, and hear some of the most terrifying tales for local historians. More than anything, I would love absolute confirmation that spiritual energy can remain on our mortal plain long after a body has been laid to unrest. For me, the inevitable heart attack and pissing of my pants would be worth it. Let's go!