The Nun 2 Director Thrives on the Intense Demands of Conjuring's Cinematic Universe

Summary

Director Michael Chaves treats each movie in The Conjuring Universe as its own, highlighting the unique personalities and stories of each installment.

Chaves values the fans' desire to have a cohesive movie universe, as it enhances the overall narrative and importance of the films.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Chaves' works have resonated with audiences, who have given both The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II high approval ratings.

After directing two chapters in the series, director Michael Chaves spoke about the challenges that come with expanding The Conjuring Universe. Since its debut in 2013, this franchise, created by James Wan, has not only been incredibly profitable for the horror genre, but also for Hollywood as a whole, earning over $2.1 billion with a budget of only $178 million. The Nun II serves as the second chapter in the chronological order of The Conjuring Universe, following the story of Bonnie Aarons' demon character as it travels around Europe, committing a series of murders in search of a valuable artifact.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chaves discussed his approach to directing the various films in The Conjuring Universe. He shared that he treats each installment as an independent entity, but also enjoys the pressure from fans to connect them all together. Here is what Chaves had to say:

How Chaves Has Succeeded Wan In The Conjuring Universe

It's fascinating how when someone mentions that all three of my movies are in the Conjuring-verse, it may seem like a repetitive pattern, but creating movies is comparable to raising kids. Each film has its own distinct personality and identity, just like individuals. This holds true for movies; they naturally develop their own unique essence. As a devoted fan of this series and its universe, I appreciate these connections. They make me feel like I am a part of a larger narrative, and I enjoy the weight and significance that comes with it. This sensation gives the impression that the movies are not only building from a foundation but also progressing towards a greater purpose. I always relish these subtle links, even though the movies ultimately evolve into their own entities. In fact, I am usually the one eager to reintroduce these connections back into the narrative.

Although Wan's name is still closely associated with the horror franchise, The Conjuring Universe has provided a platform for many emerging directors to establish themselves in the genre. Wan tapped David F. Sandberg, the directorial force behind Lights Out, for Annabelle: Creation, which revitalized the subfranchise following its predecessor's tepid reception. Annabelle Comes Home marked screenwriter Gary Dauberman's directorial debut, further solidifying his presence in the horror realm after penning the previous two installments and working on Andy Muschietti's IT adaptations.

Sandberg has gone on to direct both Shazam! movies and Dauberman is waiting for his Salem's Lot adaptation to be released, but Chaves remains a unique figure in The Conjuring Universe. He not only succeeded Wan by directing The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, but he also holds the record for directing the most films in the franchise. The Nun II will be his third installment after his feature debut, The Curse of La Llorona. Chaves has stated that it's not part of the horror franchise, but the presence of Tony Amendola's Father Perez and the flashback to the first Annabelle movie place it firmly in the universe.

Interestingly, Chaves' work on The Nun II has received better reviews than its predecessor in 2018, although it still falls short of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It's 55% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, audiences have responded favorably to his projects, with the third Conjuring film currently enjoying a franchise-high 83% rating, and The Nun II receiving a 78% rating. With The Conjuring: Last Rites currently in development and Chaves hinting at his knowledge of the potential final mainline movie's plans, it will be intriguing to see if he continues to follow in Wan's footsteps to conclude the Warrens' story, or if the veteran genre director returns for one final installment.

Source: THR