Horror Franchise Defies 'Final' Claims with 2027 Prequel
Despite promises of finality, a massively successful horror universe announces its continuation with a prequel exploring beloved characters' early days, sparking questions about original cast involvement.
The horror world just got another surprise. First Communion, the newly announced prequel in the supernatural franchise, will arrive in theaters September 10, 2027. This comes after Last Rites was marketed as the definitive conclusion to the long-running series.
Box office numbers tell a different story about endings. Last Rites shattered records with the largest global opening for any horror film in history. The movie pulled in $495 mn worldwide against a modest $55 mn production budget. New Line and Atomic Monster apparently couldn't ignore those figures.
New Creative Team Takes Control
Rodrigue Hart will make his feature directorial debut with First Communion. The screenplay comes from Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, the writing duo behind The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Their previous work suggests a more grounded approach to supernatural terror.
Plot details remain locked away. Studio executives are keeping story elements completely secret for now.
Warren Characters Return in Question
Ed and Lorraine Warren will anchor the prequel's narrative. The film plans to explore their formative years as paranormal investigators. Whether Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles remains unclear.
Casting younger actors seems likely given the prequel timeline. The original stars have portrayed the Warrens across multiple films spanning decades of the characters' lives.
Franchise Refuses to Die
The entire supernatural universe, including Annabelle spinoffs, has generated over $2.7 bn in global revenue. Those numbers explain why studios keep returning to this particular well.
First Communion represents another bet on audiences' appetite for Warren-centered stories. The prequel format allows exploration of untold chapters while maintaining familiar characters.