Evil comes home as production is underway for the next terrifying chapter in the Annabelle series.
Annabelle Comes Home, the sinister doll from the Conjuring universe will be terrorizing a new victim, while some familiar faces make a return to the big screen! Demononlogist Ed and Lorraine Warren [Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga] bring the possessed doll home in hopes that they can end the chaos that she inflicts. The couple lock the haunted doll in a sacred glass in their artifacts room as well as receive a priest’s holy blessing. Unbeknownst to them, Annabelle succeeds at awakening the evil spirits in the room who have set their sights on a new target, the Warren’s ten year old daughter, Judy [McKenna Grace] and her friends. An unholy night of horror and fright awaits the Warren family! The Knockturnal was able to get an exclusive visit of the New Line Cinema set at the famous Warner Brothers studio in Los Angeles, CA.
Upon arrival on the incredible studio lot, I was greeted by a gentleman holding up a crucifix. Although just for “cautionary measures” he informed the guests and I that “strange” things have happened on set and the crucifix would protect us. While rather alarming, it set the proper tone for being inside a place of horror. We were guided through dark and ominous corridors that led to our holding room. While it was clear this was just a set and of course nothing was real, it was odd how eerie the mood was. The holding room walls were ornate with diverse crucifixes, posters from the Conjuring franchise such as The Nun, Conjuring and Annabelle as well as a cross that would randomly spin at any given time. It was like a mini, discreet haunted house!
From the holding room we were led in small groups to the infamous artifact room, comprised of haunted objects. The room had a magnificent display of vintage artifacts, some of which were easily recognizable from the previous films such as the evil monkey. In addition to the monkey were demon masks, satantic tools, an oujee board, terrifying dolls, vintage pictures, spell books and so much more. It was almost overwhelming in a good way, so much to take in. As I slowly walked the room I finally saw it, the malevolent doll, Annabelle. She was locked in her “sacred” glass box that warned viewers to not open under any circumstance. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, it was hard to not get the creeps while staring into the doll’s wide, blank eyes. It was as if her eyes followed you, or perhaps that was my paranoia sinking in. We were able to take pictures next to her case but the doll is not to exit her compounds without a real priest’s blessing first.
We were then guided back to the holding room, crucifix in hand as we got to sit and chat with some of the cast. When asked how it was to be working on such a dark and rather creepy set, Katie Sarife who plays, Daniela in the film said that it was a “good balance between fun and absolute horror.” Her castmate Madison Iseman [Mary Ellen] described odd happenings that occurred to castmates and crew on and off set before the set was “blessed.” The most frightening stories were how Farmiga had unexplained scratches on her wrists and thighs as well as lights going out on set for no particular reason. Crew members were also experiencing a feeling of being “followed” while also seeing the satantic star show up in shadows or other random spots. Surpisingly the cast and crew were not turned off by the paranormal activity and McKenna Grace who plays Judy was actually excited about it. However the best moment on set for her was when an actual priest blessed the set. She said, “Mr. Father Tom who was our priest was very kind and nice. He brought holy water and he recited this prayer in the artifact room. I was like goodness gracious! He blessed me and Madison and Katie, it was so exciting. I loved it!”
After speaking with the cast we finally had our opportunity to go on set. We entered the infamous house of terror and it was strangely calming. The film takes place in the late 70s therefore the decor seemed like something straight out of That 70s Show. The walls of the house were a mustard yellow with floral paper, the floors were patterned and although many areas would not be seen in the film, production designer Jennifer Spence was very particular about making sure all the cabinets were stocked with dishes and drawers filled with knick knacks as if a real family were occupying the home. Spence loves designing and telling stories visually. While touring the highly detailed set, we ran into director and writer Gary Dauberman. Although Dauberman wrote the screenplay for the first two Annabelle movies, this third release will be his directorial debut. Dauberman stated, “It’s fun to be able to direct after writing for the first films, but the good part of just writing is that I can send off my script and let everyone else figure it out, now it’s up to me. It’s been a great experience and I hope audiences receive it well.” While Annabelle 3 hasn’t been released yet, fans are already wondering what will be next for the Conjuring universe and producer Peter Safran has the answer! “The audience chooses what’s next. They let us know what artifact is most intriguing, so the crooked man could be next, we’ll have to wait and see!”
After our set visit and interviews with the cast and crew, we were taken on our own little tour around Warner Brothers studios and treated with a delicious buffet lunch. All this talk of hauntings and horror definitely has me anxiously awaiting to see what the creators have in store for us!
