CREATIVES BEHIND CONJURING AND SAW FRANCHISES JOIN FORCES AS DARREN LYNN BOUSMAN JOINS AS DIRECTOR FOR THE LALAURIE MANSION
In 2020 we reported that a new franchise was being developed around the storied Lalaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana. In an interview at the Sundance Film Festival, Producer Doug McKay hinted at big things to come for the franchise. Then the pandemic hit. The project is back on track and now director Darren Lynn Bousman (Spiral, Saw 2-4) has been tapped to direct the leadoff film.
Chad and Carey Hayes, creators of “The Conjuring” franchise, teamed with Faster Horse Pictures, the film and TV production and financing outfit founded and run by Cindy Bond, Doug McKay, and Michael Whalen, to build this new horror film franchise.
Bousman’s resumé is interesting, to say the least, and seems to fit perfectly with the new universe that is being hatched. His talent for torture and atmosphere seems like it will be a perfect fit for the ghastly history of this home and its owner, Delphine LaLaurie. Who will play LaLaurie is anyone’s guess, but we can’t help but think that previous Bouseman collaborator Carolyn Hennesy would be a bone-chilling choice.
“Joining this project is a dream come true for me. For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with the paranormal. Anyone who studies the supernatural knows the legends and lore of the LaLaurie Mansion. It’s the holy grail of these types of environments. Recently I was allowed access to the house and was able to stay there with the Hayes brothers. There is no way to articulate my 72 hours inside those walls. The house consumes you. Its history cripples you. The Hayes Brothers have crafted such an emotional, suspenseful, and scary narrative that I cannot wait to introduce the world to this unbelievable location,” added Bousman after his recent stay in the infamous mansion.
Chad and Carey Hayes are the creators of the mega-successful Conjuring Universe, which has grossed nearly $2 billion dollars, making it the most successful horror franchise of all time. The highly anticipated next chapter THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT opened last weekend as the #1 film at the box office, bringing in $24 million in ticket sales, exceeding projections.
“Not only is Darren an incredibly creative director, but he also knows how to build a franchise. We are beyond thrilled to have him on this one, and can’t wait to see what he brings to the screen,” added the Hayes Brothers.
Though well known in popular culture the infamous Madame LaLaurie has never been given the detailed, extensive deep dive that this film has planned, including the exclusive right to the home itself, which is owned by producer Michael Whalen.
Despite there being no public access inside the property since 1932, thousands of people travel to New Orleans each year just to get a roadside glimpse of the notorious home known as one of the most active paranormal sites in the world. It has captured the imagination and curiosity of everyone who’s heard its disturbing story.
The stories will unfold in multiple installments covering the history of the house from recent horrific events of modern day all the way back to the terrifying origins of the house’s history and its crazed owner, Madame Delphine LaLaurie.
