The Conjuring’s James Wan Teases Horror Return After Aquaman 2: “I Feel Like The Itch Is Potentially Calling”

With his DC sequel almost in theaters, The Conjuring Universe creator James Wan is teasing a potential return to horror after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Though better known for his terrifying genre work, Wan has branched out into the world of blockbuster filmmaking over the better part of the past decade with the likes of Furious 7 and both Aquaman movies. Even in the midst of this, he has still frequently returned to his horror roots, having developed the story for and directed Malignant while also helping guide The Conjuring Universe forward with its various spinoffs and sequels.

During a recent interview with Collider for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘s release, Wan was asked about his potential return to the director’s chair in the horror genre. The filmmaker confirmed that he is interested in revisiting the genre again after his work on the DC sequel, expressing having “the itch” to return to smaller scale filmmaking following the blockbuster superhero movie, though acknowledged not being sure which project it will be. See what Wan said below:

You know, I have a tendency to want to go back and forth. So, whenever I make a smaller film, I wanna go and make a big film. Whenever I’m doing a big one, I’m like, “Oh, I wanna go and do a smaller film,” and when I do my smaller films, it tends to be a horror film. So, you know, I feel like the itch for horror is potentially calling, but we’ll see.

What Will Wan’s Next Horror Project Be?

Wan’s desire to return to a smaller-scale movie after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom largely echoes the feelings shared during Malignant‘s marketing cycle, with the filmmaker’s initial horror return stemming from the desire to break away from the large production of the first DC movie. Even as he reunited with Jason Momoa, the director has continued expanding his horror roster with a variety of projects, the majority of which he’s either produced or had a hand in developing their stories, including the Blumhouse hit M3GAN, which currently has a sequel in the works.

With him teasing yet another directorial return to the genre, the question now becomes which project might be Wan’s next in the world of horror. The most obvious choice would be that of The Conjuring: The Last Rites, reportedly the final mainline movie in the hit franchise he created. Given the first movie was seen as part of his widespread recognition alongside launching the Insidious movie franchise, it would be a fitting send-off to see him take the helm for the fourth movie. With a Conjuring TV show also in the works for Max, he could at the very least direct the pilot, much like he did with the MacGyver reboot.

Even if he doesn’t helm the final mainline movie in The Conjuring Universe, there are a number of other avenues for Wan to explore in the world of horror. One includes a sequel to his initial genre return in 2021’s Malignant, for which he’s confirmed having ideas and supported fan campaigns to make it, albeit acknowledging it’s not at the top of his priority list. The future could also see him craft another original project like he did with Malignant, but whichever path he takes, his desire to return to the horror genre is sure to be an exciting one for longtime fans of the filmmaker.