Filming is underway on Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s latest entry in the long-running horror franchise, The Conjuring: First Communion, with fresh faces stepping into the iconic roles of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Garrett Wareing and Amanda Fix have been cast as young versions of the demonologist couple, according to an exclusive report from Dread Central. The film is scheduled to haunt theaters on September 10, 2027.
This casting marks a significant evolution for the Conjuring universe, which has grossed over $2 billion worldwide since the original 2013 film directed by James Wan. While Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have embodied the Warrens across multiple installments including the most recent The Conjuring: Last Rites set for 2025-it appears the prequel will explore their earlier years.
Details on whether Wilson and Farmiga will appear in any capacity remain unclear.
Garrett Wareing, known for his roles in Manifest and the upcoming Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk, brings a brooding intensity to the part of young Ed Warren. The actor has demonstrated a knack for portraying determined, faith-driven characters under pressure.
Amanda Fix, recognized from Orphan Black: Echoes and the horror-thriller Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, will portray young Lorraine Warren.
Fix’s performances often blend vulnerability with steely resolve, qualities that could perfectly suit the clairvoyant Lorraine’s supernatural gifts.
Director Rodrigue Huart is helming the project from a screenplay by Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg. Plot specifics for First Communion are being kept tightly under wraps, but the title suggests themes of faith, innocence, and perhaps the Warrens’ first major case together or a story tied to religious rituals gone awry hallmarks of the franchise’s blend of Catholic exorcism lore and jump-scare horror.
The Conjuring series has built its reputation on “based on true events” stories centered on the real-life Warrens, who investigated thousands of paranormal cases before their deaths (Ed in 2006 and Lorraine in 2019). The films masterfully mix atmospheric dread, family drama, and demonic possession, creating a shared universe that includes spin-offs like the Annabelle dolls, The Nun, and La Llorona.
With The Conjuring: First Communion, the studio seems intent on refreshing the core duo while expanding the timeline. Previous entries have jumped between decades: the original Conjuring in 1971, The Conjuring 2 in 1977, and The Devil Made Me Do It in 1981.
A prequel could delve into the Warrens’ meeting, early marriage, or initial forays into the occult potentially set in the 1950s or 1960s.
Public Reactions
Fan reactions on social media have been mixed but passionate. Many expressed excitement at seeing rising talent breathe new life into beloved characters. Others wondered about the franchise’s longevity, joking that it’s being “milked” extensively. One recurring question involves Taissa Farmiga, who played a young Lorraine in The Nun, though that role was in a separate timeline.
The Conjuring universe stands as one of Hollywood’s most successful horror properties, rivaling classics like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street in sheer volume. By 2027, First Communion will push the count to at least 11 films. Warner Bros. has also scheduled The Revenge of La Llorona for April 2027, indicating sustained investment in interconnected supernatural storytelling.
Industry analysts point to several factors driving this expansion. Horror remains one of the most profitable genres due to modest budgets and dedicated audiences. The Warrens’ real-life cases provide endless source material, from haunted dolls to demonic hauntings, allowing filmmakers creative freedom while maintaining a pseudo-documentary feel through opening title cards.
Wareing’s casting feels particularly strategic. His recent work showcases physicality and emotional depth essential for Ed’s portrayal as both a skeptical researcher and a man of deep Catholic faith confronting evil.
Fix, meanwhile, has the ethereal presence that made Vera Farmiga’s Lorraine so compelling: warm yet otherworldly, capable of conveying both maternal strength and terrifying visions.
Production details beyond the casting remain sparse. Filming is already in progress, suggesting an efficient schedule aimed at the 2027 release. This rapid turnaround aligns with New Line’s approach to the franchise, which has consistently delivered entries every few years.
For longtime fans, the prospect of origin stories raises intriguing questions. How did Ed and Lorraine first encounter the supernatural? What shaped their partnership and unshakeable belief in demonic forces? First Communion could answer these while delivering the franchise’s signature chills: creaking doors, shadowy figures, and possessions that test the limits of faith.
Critics have occasionally noted diminishing returns in later entries, but the core appeal endures. The films tap into universal fears of the unknown, of losing control, of evil lurking in everyday homes while offering catharsis through the Warrens’ triumphs. A prequel focused on their youth might recapture the raw discovery that made the 2013 original such a phenomenon.
As Hollywood increasingly relies on established IP, The Conjuring: First Communion represents both continuity and reinvention. By recasting the leads for a younger era, producers James Wan and others can explore new dynamics without fully abandoning the Wilson-Farmiga versions that defined the series.
For now, horror enthusiasts have fresh casting news to debate and another installment to anticipate in a universe that shows no signs of slowing down.
The demonic forces may be fictional, but the box office power of Ed and Lorraine Warren remains very real.
