Back in October it was reported that The Conjuring 3 is set to take the horror series away from the “family in peril” plot of the first two movies, instead focusing on a man on trial for murder, who claims to have been possessed at the time of the crime.
Well, speaking to Bloody Disgusting, filmmaker James Wan has now confirmed that storyline, telling the outlet that:
“It’s not necessarily based on an artifact but it’s based on one of the Warrens’ case files. It’s this guy who was on trial for committing a murder. I think it’s the first time in America’s history where the defendant used possessions as a reason, as an excuse. All the Conjuring films are based on the case files, so they’re more based on the true story aspect of the real life Warrens. I think that’s important. It’s important that the mothership stays true to the inspiration of the real people. The spinoffs are where we get to have more fun and do weird and wonderful crazy things. The mothership of it being the Conjuring films, we want it to come back to the real stuff.”
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Based on the above, it seems a pretty safe bet that the storyline is taking inspiration from The Devil Made Me Do It Case, where it was argued by lawyers for the defendant Arne Cheyenne Johnson that he should not be held accountable for his crimes by reason of demonic possession. The murder and subsequent trial made headlines around the world, with Ed and Lorraine Warren key figures in the resulting “media blitz”.
Unlike the first two Conjuring films, Wan won’t be in the director’s chair for the third movie, instead handing over the reins to Michael Chaves, who impressed Wan when the two collaborated on Chaves’ directorial debut, the upcoming horror The Curse of La Llorona.
“I feel like he’s this young up and coming filmmaker in this world,” said Wan. “He’s a guy that understands how these films work. He’s really great working with actors and I feel like that’s something I want and need to work with, someone that people like Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga would feel comfortable with.”
As yet, there’s no word on a release date for The Conjuring 3, but Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will be back as Ed and Lorraine Warren next year for the spinoff sequel Annabelle 3.
Originally published December 25, 2018. Updated November 21, 2019.
