I got very excited after learning that James Wan would be returning to helm the sequel to his 2013 hit THE CONJURING back in October. The sequel, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 10, 2016, will continue the creepy cinematic adventures of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), and I can think of no better director suited to bring the tale to screen than Wan himself. The new tale of the Warren family was originally penned by Carey and Chad Hayes with revisions by Eric Heisserer, but now The Wrap is reporting that a new writer has come onboard the project to rewrite the screenplay.
ORPHAN and WRATH OF THE TITANS scribe David Leslie Johnson has been hired to rewrite THE CONJURING 2 for New Line and director James Wan, reports The Wrap. Johnson is also known for his work on the hit AMC series “The Walking Dead” and also penned WB’s RED RIDING HOOD as well as Disney’s upcoming SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, which will mark the directorial debut of Seth Grahame-Smith.
Peter Safran will produce for The Safran Company along with Wan. New Line executives Dave Neustadter and Walter Hamada will oversee the project for the studio. Production on THE CONJURING 2 is expected to start this summer.
THE CONJURING was one of the most profitable films of 2013, grossing $320 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. It spawned the spinoff ANNABELLE, which was released in theaters back in October.