Conjuring prequel in development with Huart in talks to direct

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are developing a prequel to The Conjuring franchise, with French short filmmaker Rodrigue Huart in talks to direct, studio insiders said. The move follows the unexpected commercial success of The Conjuring Last Rites, which has earned about $487 million worldwide this year and became the highest grossing entry in the franchise.

Writers Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, who co-wrote Last Rites and the 2023 installment The Nun II, are attached to the screenplay. Producers Peter Safran and James Wan are expected to remain involved, with Wan producing through his company Atomic Monster and Safran producing through The Safran Company. Several executive producers from recent Conjuring films are also reported to be returning. No deals have been finalized and negotiations with Huart and other principals are ongoing.

Huart is best known for award winning short films, including Transylvanie, which won a jury prize at SXSW in 2024, and the shorts Trigger and Real, which explored found footage and digital horror techniques. He has not yet directed a major studio feature. He is also developing a feature script, a remake titled Suffer Little Children, for...