James Wan has been a prominent figure in horror since his early success with Saw, but it was the 2013 release of The Conjuring that firmly established his reputation and launched his directing career into mainstream studio prominence. As The Conjuring: Last Rites concludes the first chapter of the franchise this weekend, the original film has been re-released in 4K UHD, featuring a new featurette titled Reflections on The Conjuring, where the cast and crew share their experiences on set. The film’s success is central to understanding the rise of this horror universe.
The Origins and Development of The Conjuring Story
Producer Peter Safran confirms that James Wan was the clear choice to direct the film, praising the director’s ability to elevate the screenplay into the final version.
“James Wan, he was our first choice to direct. We sent him the screenplay, and he came onboard and elevated the film to what it became,”
Safran shares. Wan also contributed to the film’s scares, including the creation of Annabelle as a prologue, adding a unique perspective to the supernatural thriller.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as Ed and Lorraine Warren, a married couple known for their paranormal investigations. Wilson recalls,
“The way that he pitched it, at the time it was called The Warren Files, Conjuring was not in there, and there’s never been a movie on these guys.”
This real-life connection set the tone for the film’s grounded approach.
Maintaining Authenticity and Respect for Real-Life Inspirations
James Wan takes great care to honor the true story behind his characters.
“It was based on real-life people, so I wanted to be respectful to that aspect of it,”
Wan explains.
“It was important, because I think it did inform my filmmaking. It forced me to keep things as grounded and as realistic as possible.”
The Warrens’ involvement extended beyond inspiration, with Lorraine Warren acting as a consultant and even making a cameo during the film. Producer Safran recalls her presence on set, highlighting her brightness and enthusiasm for respectful storytelling.
“Lorraine spent a lot of time with us on set on that first movie. She was such a bright and wonderful and lively presence and had incredible stories for all of us,”
he says.
“She was so happy that we were being so respectful in the telling of her and Ed’s story.”
The On-Set Experience and Team Atmosphere
Casting members describe a positive atmosphere during production. Shannon Kook, who portrayed the Warrens’ assistant Drew Thomas, was struck by Lorraine Warren’s uplifting spirit despite the dark subject matter:
“I kind of expected her to be quite dark, because of all the things that she’s dealt with, but there’s a bright light that came from her the whole time.”
John Brotherton, who played police officer Brad Hamilton, reminisces about the light-hearted environment fostered by the presence of children and a supportive crew:
“We had so much fun, because there was children on the set, it was light-hearted, wonderful people.”
Kook credits James Wan’s leadership for the good vibes on set, adding,
“James Wan was such a good leader that it trickled down. There was great vibes on set with everybody.”
Lili Taylor, who portrayed Carolyn Perron, observes the authenticity of the film’s special effects, reinforcing the dedication to making a traditional haunted house movie:
“There was an authenticity with the special effects.”
Wan echoes this vision, stating,
“It felt right that we were making an old-school haunted house film that we wanted to keep it true to the old ways of how these films were made.”
The Film’s Impact and Enduring Success
The Conjuring’s original release met with strong reactions. Taylor remembers sensing the unique energy during filming:
“When I was making The Conjuring, I knew it was going to be scary. I could feel when we were making it that James was tapping into something.”
Brotherton recalls the excitement after the first screening at New Line:
“I remember the first screening at New Line, sitting there going, ‘Holy shit, this is amazing.’”
Wilson highlights Wan’s ambition for the franchise’s longevity, saying,
“I remember [Wan] saying, ‘If we do it right, we can keep coming back.’”
The franchise’s success has been monumental, grossing $319.5 million worldwide on a $20 million budget for the first film alone. Over twelve years, the nine-film series has collectively earned $2.2 billion, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise ever.
Reflections from the Cast and Crew on a Significant Legacy
Shannon Kook expresses gratitude for being part of the evolving stories within the franchise:
“It’s been pretty special to be able to ride the wave of these films. It’s just been wonderful to be able to be a part of each of those stories.”
Vera Farmiga shares a heartfelt reflection on the entire journey:
“I’m just full of gratitude, I really am. This has been extraordinary, and I’m proud. I’m proud of us. I’m proud of what this thing has accomplished. It’s a good feeling.”
The Conjuring remains available now on 4K UHD, allowing new audiences to experience the film that started this influential franchise and marked James Wan’s legacy within horror filmmaking.
