Conjuring Universe's Fatal Mistake

Originally launched more than a decade back, it surprisingly birthed an expansive horror film universe filled with numerous successful titles. Inspired by actual paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the films have spawned spin-offs focusing on various supernatural events. The concluding main movie is imminent, but the future of the series may head towards a questionable path.

Discussions are underway among the creators of The Conjuring regarding a “Phase Two” for the series’ interconnected universe, which resembles… However, this approach isn’t as reliable as it once was, considering recent events at Marvel Studios. What stands out most is that we will soon bid farewell to the Warrens, and continuing the story without them could feel forced or unnatural.

Warner Bros. Discovery Can’t Make Conjuring Universe Movies Forever

The Successful Horror Series Might Have an Expiration Date

In the future, it appears that a follow-up chapter to the “Conjuring” movies is being considered, without the Warrens as main characters. This new phase will be introduced following the release of “The Conjuring: Last Rites”, but how this will unfold remains uncertain, particularly considering the plans for the upcoming movie in the series. Notably, “Last Rites” marks the fourth and final film in the primary “Conjuring” series, although additional spinoffs have been produced following the first three films. Earlier, movies like a spinoff focused on the Crooked Man were proposed, but unfortunately, these plans did not materialize.

At this point, it’s unclear if additional spinoff sequels will be produced, but there have been more discussions about a fourth Annabelle film compared to the others. These potential movies could potentially fall under the tentative “Phase Two” of the Conjuring Universe, although nothing is set in stone yet. It’s a risky move for the studio, as they often continue series when they’re successful, even if they become repetitive or lose quality over time. This phenomenon is why many movie franchises have numerous sequels, sometimes to the point of becoming inside jokes about low-quality productions.

Through the years, movies seem to prioritize financial gain over creativity and artistic merit, often disregarding the need for continuity and logical progression in stories and ideas. If The Conjuring were to extend its phases indefinitely, it could risk becoming another factory churning out content without genuine passion or care beyond monetary compensation. This would be a regrettable outcome for such a cherished series, especially considering that The Conjuring: Last Rites could serve as an excellent finale. Prolonging the series beyond this point would squander a chance to bid farewell on a high note. Moreover, duplicating additional phases for the franchise mirrors a movie series that has faced similar problems in the past.

The MCU Is the Wrong Path to Follow for The Conjuring

The Conjuring Isn’t a 1:1 for Marvel’s Heroes

Despite frequent criticisms about numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, it’s important to acknowledge that some of Marvel Studios’ projects have established precedents. The reason being, many beloved tales of Marvel’s iconic heroes span decades, and this is particularly true for characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men, who only recently came under Marvel Studio’s control within the last decade. In fact, a common grievance is that certain notable figures haven’t had their most acclaimed narratives brought to life yet or were retired before they could be featured.

In my perspective, the “Armor Wars” storyline from Iron Man continues to be developed, even though the character himself has fallen, serving as a conclusion for many storylines in the shared universe. Similarly, other paths could have been taken to bring iconic stories to life. For example, had Bucky Barnes taken over as Captain America instead of Sam Wilson, given his successful and widely popular run as the character in comics. Not to mention the potential for a TV show based on “Immortal Hulk,” which has proven itself a remarkable fit for Disney+.

There are numerous aspects that might require adjustment, and it’s plausible that these projects could span several decades within the MCU. Conversely, The Conjuring universe differs significantly from Marvel Comics as its source material, despite being inspired by real-life events. Remember, the franchise is already a highly fictionalized portrayal of the Warrens’ cases, so creating an entirely new narrative might be pushing it too far. One of the main attractions of the first two films was their fresh take on a story that’s already deeply rooted in popular culture.

To excessively fictionalize the series would diminish its charm, as it’s plausible that the main Conjuring movies thrived due to their basis in real cases. This provided a clear path for the script, simplifying the screenwriting process. Although Marvel enthusiasts anticipate certain famous stories, there isn’t enough source material for the Conjuring series to tackle something of comparable scale. Instead, the horror franchise may follow the same trajectory as Marvel Studios.

Phase Two for The Conjuring Universe Would Repeat Marvel’s Biggest Mistake

Low-Quality Spinoffs and Sequels Have Helped Kill the MCU’s Appeal

Many fans and casual cinema-goers have remarked that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) felt like it ended for them with Avengers: Endgame, and there’s a reason why

A significant concern arises due to several major Marvel “Infinity Saga” characters either being killed, written out, or undergoing changes that fans find unsatisfactory. For instance, Iron Man and Captain America are no longer part of the story, and many disapprove of the new paths taken with Thor and Hulk. Unfortunately, the newer characters haven’t been as well-received, particularly those trying to fill roles once held by fan favorites. Moreover, an overwhelming amount of content has been released, much of which falls short in quality, leading many to grow disinterested.

The Conjuring series may face a similar downfall if it continues past the fourth film, as we’ve already seen with the direction of the franchise. To be frank, none of the Conjuring spin-offs have been warmly received, especially when compared to the main installments. However, the positive feedback on the main films initially served as a buffer for the less favorable reviews, enabling financial successes like The Nun. Without compelling movies centered around the Warrens to keep fans engaged, it’s challenging to envision the franchise sustaining its popularity.

Given the inconsistency in quality among the spinoffs, it’s clear that this trend could result in more average products being produced, much like what we’ve seen from other production lines. Despite Warner Bros. Discovery’s desire to continue the franchise, the potential financial gains might not outweigh the drawbacks, leading to a decline rather than continued growth. Instead of moving forward with another phase, The Conjuring: Last Rites should strive to fulfill its promise and bring things to a close, at least temporarily.

2025-04-18 05:57

Conjuring Universe’s Fatal Mistake