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The Success of ‘The Conjuring’: Marrying Fact with Fiction

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The Conjuring debuted this day four years ago in 2013 and took the horror genre in a whole new direction.  In many ways it made the genre scary again and breathed new life into a world of out dated ideas, a world of remakes, and played out gimmicks such as the found footage angle.

The opening scene where Ed and Lorraine Warren are addressing a young college campus crowd is very much the way I found out about the couple and their stories.  I grew up in their home state, and truth be told they were sort of local celebrities.  When I was am impressionable middle schooler, an angsty high schooler, and eventually a young college co-ed I followed their lectures across the small state, listening to their stories and buying their books.

The Real Life Warrens: Lorraine (left) Ed (right)

When Halloween rolled around each year you would usually find a news special about the married couple and their history in the state, their journeys across the world, and local Connecticut haunts they investigated.  Sometimes an hour long documentary would follow around Hallows Eve.  If you wanted to further your education about their stories, their books would be available at their lectures and on the early days of their website.  Remember, this was pre-Amazon people!

When news hit the rumor mill that one of their investigations was going to hit the silver screen in the near future people automatically assumed it was going to be about the haunted doll Annabelle, or their involvement in the infamous Amityville house.  To the surprise of many the focus landed on the haunted Rhode Island home in Harrisville and the Perron family who came under paranormal attack and desperately sought out the help of the Warrens.  This is a lesser known case the couple was called into, but for locals of Rhode Island and the immediate tri-state area the house is quite famous.  In fact, it still stands today and has had its share of residents, many of whom still report unusual occurrences in the house!

The Warrens portrayed by Patrick Wilson (left) and Vera Farmiga (right)

When the story was combined with movie magic directed by genre veteran James Wan a new breed of horror was created.  Sure, there have been many, many movies “based on true events” but this one was a horse of a different color.  This story took many elements from the actual haunt and Wan enhanced it with his gift for building suspense, penetrating scares, and beautiful cinematography.  The fact Wan was also intrigued by the challenge of creating a movie based around real life people and their real life story also added an element of respect and realism to his storytelling through the lens.  The working title of The Warren Files changed to The Conjuring and the series was born.  I believe it was this angle that has led to the chain of successful sequels in the series following the Warrens real life investigations and keeps viewers coming back for more.

Read about the latest spin off from The Conjuring series titled The Nun here!

See Lorraine Warren talk about the real life story of the Perron family here.

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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer Team Up for a New Dark Robin Hood Adaptation

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A report from Deadline details director Michal Sarnoski’s (A Quiet Place: Day One) newest project, The Death of Robin Hood. The film is set to feature Hugh Jackman (Logan) and Jodie Comer (The End We Start From).

Michael Sarnoski will write and direct the new Robin Hood adaptation. Jackman will be reunited with Aaron Ryder (The Prestige), who is producing the film. The Death of Robin Hood is expected to be a hot item at the upcoming Cannes film market.

Hugh Jackman, The Death of Robin Hood
Hugh Jackman

Deadline describes the films as the following. “The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.”

Lyrical Media will be financing the film. Alexander Black will produce the film alongside Ryder and Andrew Sweet. Black gave Deadline the following information about the project. “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” Ryder and Swett stated to Deadline “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

Jodie Comer

Sarnoski seems to be excited by the project as well. He offered Deadline the following information about the film.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood. Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

We are still a long way away from seeing this Robin Hood tale. Production is expected to begin in February of 2025. However, it does sound like it will be a fun entry into the Robin Hood canon.

That’s all the information we have at this time.

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Mike Flanagan In Talks to Direct New Exorcist Movie for Blumhouse

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Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs. Not only has he created some of the best horror series to ever exist, but he also managed to make a Ouija Board movie genuinely terrifying.

A report from Deadline yesterday indicates that we may be seeing even more from this legendary storysmith. According to Deadline sources, Flanagan is in talks with Blumhouse and Universal Pictures to direct the next Exorcist film. However, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse have declined to comment on this collaboration at this time.

Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan

This change comes after The Exorcist: Believer failed to meet Blumhouse’s expectations. Initially, David Gordon Green (Halloween)was hired to create three Exorcist films for the production company, but he has left the project to focus on his production of The Nutcrackers.

If the deal goes through, Flanagan will take over the franchise. Looking at his track record, this could be the right move for the Exorcist franchise. Flanagan consistently delivers amazing horror media that leave audiences clamoring for more.

It would also be perfect timing for Flanagan, as he just wrapped up filming the Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck. This isn’t the first time he has worked on a King product. Flanagan also adapted Doctor Strange and Gerald’s Game.

He has also created some amazing Netflix originals. These include The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Midnight Club, and most recently, The Fall of the House of Usher.

If Flanagan does take over, I think the Exorcist franchise will be in good hands.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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