The Astonishing Trials of Furious 7: How James Wan's Epic Journey Revitalized the Conjuring Universe

Summary

His enduring enthusiasm and triumph for The Conjuring Universe are apparent through his continued role as a producer for every installment within the franchise.

Although Wan may not come back to the Fast & Furious series, his passion lies in producing horror films, evident in his involvement with The Conjuring and Insidious franchises.

James Wan, the creator of The Conjuring Universe, has revealed that the challenges he encountered while filming Furious 7 led him to return to direct The Conjuring 2. Furious 7 marked the last installment of the Fast & Furious series to include Paul Walker, who tragically passed away during production. Despite the difficult circumstances, Wan persevered and transformed the film into a heartfelt tribute to Walker's character, Brian O'Conner.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wan discussed his decision to direct The Conjuring 2 and how it was influenced by the challenges he faced while making Furious 7. He expressed his comfort and familiarity with The Conjuring Universe, which made the process enjoyable for him. Wan stated that after the difficult experience of Furious 7, he wanted to return to something that felt more familiar and comfortable. He expressed his love for working with Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, and New Line, and described it as coming back to a situation he loves and enjoys. He also mentioned his desire to continue telling the next chapter of the Warrens' story on the big screen.

How The Conjuring Universe Continues To Evolve

The Conjuring 2 introduced Valak, the main demonic antagonist of The Conjuring series. Valak also appeared in The Nun, a 1950s prequel. Valak will return in The Nun II, set to release on September 6, 2023.

Given Wan's challenging experience with Furious 7, it's understandable that he prefers working on projects he had a hand in creating. Wan's creation of The Conjuring Universe is why he has remained a producer for every film. It's evident that the horror director has a deep passion for this shared universe, especially with popular characters like Annabelle and the Warrens.

Wan's presence in the Fast & Furious franchise seems unlikely for now, as he has fervently embraced his role as a producer in the horror genre. Apart from being involved in The Conjuring universe, Wan has also taken on the role of producer for the Insidious films and M3GAN, unequivocally demonstrating his affinity for horror. Nevertheless, Wan has also ventured into directing Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, showcasing his willingness to explore non-horror projects that ignite his passion. Regrettably, it appears that Furious 7 dampened his enthusiasm for Fast & Furious, while The Conjuring 2 further fueled his adoration for horror.