It won’t be long before that dastardly demonic doll looms onto the silver screen once more, as Variety brings word that New Line is pushing ahead with a follow-up to 2014’s hit horror prequel Annabelle.
Further exploring the murky history of the titular, inanimate object before Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) appeared on the scene as the real-life paranormal investigators, the outlet simply reveals that a sequel is incubating in the early stages of development, with nary a mention of a director attached at this time – nor if it will remain in 1960s California.
In 2014, the studio’s horror offshoot featured the likes of Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton and Alfre Woodard, though there is no official word on whether any of the core cast will return for an exercise in nerve-shredding terror. It was helmed by The Conjuring‘s cinematographer John R. Leonetti, with James Wan attached as producer of the horror prequel.
Telling the story of a group of cultists who invade the home of Wallis and Horton’s young couple, Annabelle notched up an impressive $245 million at the worldwide box office off the back of a $6.5 million budget, meaning that news of a sequel getting the go-ahead shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Indeed, it’s just another sign of New Line’s plan to weave a cinematic story around The Conjuring, and we’re intrigued to see if the follow-up to Annabelle will bridge the gap between the past and present.
No word yet on a release window for New Line’s Annabelle sequel, but we’ll keep you updated as this story develops. Meanwhile, James Wan will continue to explore the dark recesses of the studio’s horror-verse with The Conjuring: The Enfield Poltergeist,