Contrary to previous reports suggesting that The Curse of La Llorona, a 2019 film, was going to be the sixth part of The Conjuring series, the film’s director, Michael Chaves, clarified that it is not linked to the continuity of the series, despite the appearance of Annabelle. Chaves attributes the confusion to a mix-up during the movie’s premiere at the SXSW film festival.
The plot of the film is based on Mexican folklore and unfolds in 1973. It narrates the chilling tale of a mother named Anna (Linda Cardellini) and her family who are tormented by a spectral figure known as La Llorna. The film features an interesting cameo from the infamous haunted doll, Annabelle, as Anna seeks the assistance of Father Perez (Tony Amendola), a character previously seen in the 2014 doll-focused spin-off. Although this might suggest a natural fit within The Conjuring universe, Chaves pointed out that the reality is more complicated. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly about The Conjuring’s 10th anniversary, he elaborated on the film’s relation to the broader franchise, stating “There’s considerable debate about it, and I’ve probably been somewhat evasive previously. One of the reasons it couldn’t officially be part of the Conjuring Universe is it lacked the involvement of one of the principal producers, Peter Safran. The Conjuring is his and James [Wan, director of the first two films in the series] creation, and they remain its key producers.”
Safran, reportedly, did not contribute to La Llorona “due to it being a relatively low-budget film,” yet Chaves noted “Peter nevertheless gave his consent for the character to feature in it.” The cameos, according to Chaves, were intended as a playful nod to fans but were exaggerated due to a communication lapse during the SXSW premiere where the presenter introduced the film as a new installment in The Conjuring universe, leading to substantial confusion. Safran himself affirmed that La Llorona does not belong to The Conjuring universe, asserting “You can’t count it!”
Image via Warner Bros.
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Wan’s Involvement Further Confused Matters
The film was developed by Wan through his production company, Atomic Monster. This was another factor that created an unintended association with the franchise. Safran remarked, “It occasionally gets grouped with The Conjuring because of Chaves and Atomic Monster, but it is not officially part of the universe.” However, Safran expressed his appreciation for the La Llorona director, adding “By the way, I believe Chaves did an excellent job on the movie, which is why we recruited him for the Conjuring universe.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ Conjuring connection
Is ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ part of ‘The Conjuring’ franchise?
No, despite previous reports and the inclusion of Annabelle in the film, ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ is not a part of ‘The Conjuring’ universe. The film’s director, Michael Chaves, clarified this misunderstanding that originated from a miscommunication at the SXSW film festival premiere.
Why was it thought that ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ was part of ‘The Conjuring’ universe?
The confusion arose due to the appearance of the haunted doll, Annabelle, and the involvement of James Wan’s production company, Atomic Monster, in the making of ‘The Curse of La Llorona’. However, the film is not officially a part of ‘The Conjuring’ franchise.
Who are the key producers of ‘The Conjuring’ universe?
The key producers of ‘The Conjuring’ universe are Peter Safran and James Wan, the director of the first two films in the series.
Did Peter Safran have any involvement in ‘The Curse of La Llorona’?
While Peter Safran did not directly contribute to ‘The Curse of La Llorona’, he did give his permission for the character Annabelle to appear in the film.
Was ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ director Michael Chaves involved in ‘The Conjuring’ universe?
Yes, Peter Safran praised the work of Michael Chaves on ‘The Curse of La Llorona’, which led to his involvement in ‘The Conjuring’ universe.
More about ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ Conjuring connection
- The Conjuring Franchise
- The Curse of La Llorona
- Director Michael Chaves
- Producer Peter Safran
- James Wan’s Atomic Monster
- SXSW Film Festival
5 comments
Always thought the connection was kinda weak, now it makes sense. Thanks for the info!
I guess that’s why it felt a little different. Still a great movie tho!
Chaves and Safran? they’re doing great stuff in horror cinema! Lookin’ forward for more…
man, I really thot la llorona was part of the conjuring. It was even scarier for me. lol!
So la llorona isn’t part of conjuring huh? Thought it was ‘cos of annabelle. This clears things up!