Cinedigm released a big announcement today. They’ve partnered with horror heavyweight Tony DeRosa-Grund, creator of The Conjuring, to develop The Haunted. It’s a new paranormal horror franchise based on verifiable actual events.
Which, as far as horror movies go, few have been as successful as The Conjuring, which was also inspired by real circumstances. Since it’s raked in over $2 billion in box office to date (wow!), it’s no wonder Cinedigm and DeRosa-Grund are hoping to recreate that sort of success.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Tony DeRosa-Grund, a modern master of the horror genre, on The Haunted franchise,” said Tom Owen, Managing Director of Cinedigm/Bloody Disgusting. “Based on true-life events, these films will take audiences on a wild and terrifying journey into the world of the paranormal, unlike any other ever seen before in film. We are confident The Haunted will set a new bar for horror movies and will absolutely resonate with horror enthusiasts.”
The Haunted: The next Conjuring franchise?
DeRosa-Grund wrote the original story for The Conjuring, named it, and created the “road map” for that franchise. He’s aiming to emulate that prior success by building a similar universe in The Haunted, complete with sequels, historical prequels, and spin-offs.
The Haunted’s Plot
There’s not a lot of info about specifics yet beyond the partnership announcement. They’re keeping story details under wraps for now.
However, Cinedigm confirmed that the franchise’s initial focus will be on the real events experienced by a multi-generational family under siege from malevolent and extremely violent supernatural forces. The family’s story intersects with historical facts and legends surrounding a young pregnant woman accused by her own father of being a witch. That convergence places the family in impending mortal danger.
Why The Haunted May Prove Scarier Than The Conjuring
The Haunted also focuses on the extremely rare circumstances that occurred in the case it’s based on. The afflicted persons involved suffered significant and repeated real physical harm from the dark forces that plagued them. It even resulted in a death!
The fact that these events could happen to anyone, combined with the “you can run, but you can’t hide” aspect of the family’s very real plight, aims to plumb new depths of the horror genre.
The Haunted Lured DeRosa-Grund Out of Retirement
Here’s what DeRosa-Grund had to say about the collaboration:
“Having created, produced and written the story for the original The Conjuring, I can say, with absolute clarity and certainty, that The Haunted is exponentially better, truer and more terrifying. I am truly excited to be working with Tom and Brad [of Cinedigm/Bloody Disgusting] who ‘got it,’ and embraced the project right from our very first pitch meeting. I want to also thank Cinedigm Chairman Chris McGurk, who not only backed my very first feature film, but also convinced me to come out of my retirement for this project.”
DeRosa-Grund has completed the script, so the next step is for Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting to attach a director. Then production will get underway in earnest later this year, with DeRosa-Grund producing through the Nverse Pictures banner.
Check-In
Did the small plot hint give you any clue what the real-life story might be that will inspire The Haunted? (Or are you still as in the dark as I am?)
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Oooh, me likey! Can’t wait! Thank you for the info, Courtney! Hope they can land some actors who are perfect for their roles again!
You’re welcome, Troy. Super curious to see who they line up and what they do with this.