The Conjuring Universe Almost Had Its "Endgame" Moment: A Monster Mash That Never Was

The Conjuring Universe, a sprawling tapestry of supernatural horror that has haunted theaters since 2013, is approaching what appears to be a climactic chapter. "The Conjuring: Last Rites," slated for release in September, carries a subtitle that suggests a definitive conclusion. However, initial plans for this final installment were far more ambitious, even flirting with a concept that echoes the superheroic grandeur of "Avengers: Endgame."

While "Last Rites" won’t feature a grand assembly of all the monstrous entities introduced throughout the franchise, the idea was, surprisingly, seriously considered. In a recent Entertainment Weekly feature, Michael Chaves, the director of "Last Rites" (and also "The Curse of La Llorona," "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It," and "The Nun II"), revealed the scope of the brainstorming sessions that shaped the film.

"Even as we were developing it, we were throwing a bunch of ideas out: ‘How shamelessly big can we make it?’ ‘How epic can we make it?’ ‘Is this the culmination of all the demons coming to face them?" Chaves explained to EW. The article further elaborated that the team briefly entertained the notion of conjuring (pun intended) a scenario where "about a dozen Doctor Strange portals opening to reveal every Conjuring entity assembled together for an endgame of sorts."

Imagine that for a moment: Lorraine and Ed Warren, the steadfast paranormal investigators portrayed by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, facing an army of their past adversaries in a battle for the fate of… well, probably humanity. The sheer spectacle would have been undeniable. However, the creative team ultimately opted for a more intimate and emotionally resonant approach.

The decision to steer clear of a large-scale monster crossover, while understandable given the franchise’s focus on the Warrens’ personal journey, leaves a tantalizing "what if?" lingering in the air. Series creator James Wan, who serves as an executive producer on "Last Rites," had the opportunity to send the Conjuring Universe off with a bang, a cacophonous symphony of screams and jump scares.

The potential lineup for this monstrous ensemble would have been a horror fan’s dream. Naturally, the demonic nun Valak from "The Nun" and the possessed doll Annabelle would have led the charge, their popularity cemented through their own spin-off films. But the ranks could have been bolstered by other, lesser-known entities from the Conjuring Universe.

One prominent candidate was the Crooked Man, a sinister, limber figure introduced in "The Conjuring 2." The film seemingly teed him up for a future spin-off, but those plans never materialized. As executive producer Peter Safran noted, the audience’s reaction ultimately determined the character’s fate.

"We thought the Crooked Man was basically going to be the Annabelle for Conjuring 2," Safran confessed to EW. However, he added, "when the audiences saw the movie, they wanted to know more about the nun. That’s what they gravitated toward."

The audience’s preference for Valak effectively sidelined the Crooked Man, at least for the time being. But Wan hasn’t entirely abandoned the character. "I still have a movie in my head that I would hopefully love to get off the ground one day, but we’ll see," he revealed.

The enthusiasm for a Crooked Man film persists among fans. "I get fans that reach out to me every now and then, begging us to make a Crooked Man movie," Wan said. "Just as a fan, I would love to do it one day, if I can convince the studio to do so."

The possibility of a mega-monster crossover remains a tantalizing prospect for many fans. The Conjuring Universe has cultivated a rich bestiary of terrifying creatures, and the thought of them uniting in a single, chaotic film is undeniably appealing. It would be a bold and audacious move, a definitive statement that the franchise is willing to embrace its more outlandish tendencies.

Instead, "The Conjuring: Last Rites" appears poised to deliver a more character-driven narrative, one that delves into the emotional core of Lorraine and Ed Warren’s relationship. While this approach is consistent with the franchise’s established formula, it’s hard not to wonder what could have been.

The missed opportunity of a Conjuring "Endgame" highlights the delicate balance between creative ambition and audience expectations. While a massive monsterpalooza might have been a crowd-pleasing spectacle, it could have also undermined the franchise’s more grounded and intimate horror. Ultimately, the decision to prioritize character over spectacle reflects a commitment to the Warrens’ story, even as the universe around them teems with supernatural threats.

Whether "The Conjuring: Last Rites" provides a satisfying conclusion to the franchise remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the phantom limb of that almost-realized monster mash will continue to haunt the dreams of horror fans for years to come. The Conjuring Universe hits theaters September 5th.