'Annabelle' Sequel Coming Soon? [Release Date, Cast, Plot & Rumors]

It seems that the satanic doll named Annabelle is set to return and scare fans once again.

According to a report by The Tracking Board, the second installment for the high-grossing horror movie of the titular possessed doll "Annabelle" is currently in development stages with scriptwriter Gary Dauberman returning to write the  sequel.

Furthermore, James Wan will also be back to produce the flick while Dave Neustadter and Walter Hamada will represent New Line Cinema in the production of the project.

However, as mentioned by the report, New Line is actively looking for a replacement to "Annabelle" director John Leonetti who will not be back to lead the filming of "Annabelle 2".

"Annabelle" is a spinoff prequel of "The Conjuring." The film was immediately produced after "The Conjuring" garnered high praises from critics and fans alike.

As cited by IMDb, the film's story follows the couple John and Mia who never thought that a rare, vintage doll that is supposed to be the best gift will be their worst nightmare following a brutal attack from a "satanic cult." Loosely based on a true story, the film shows the doll being possessed after the said cult "conjured" a wicked entity into Annabelle.

The film saw huge financial success after grossing $246 Million out of just a $6.5 million budget. In US alone, the film made $84 million. This success, perhaps, encouraged the producers of the film to create a sequel.

Nonetheless, despite the undoubtedly sensational profit that the film made, Screen Rant pointed that the production of "Annabelle 2" is somehow puzzling given that its predecessor has been highly criticized for the lack of originality and intensity for a film in the horror genre.

Rotten Tomatoes even emphasized that the film did not live up to the hype of "The Conjuring" as it merely borrows horror scenes from other better films. Thus, failing to effectively entice and engage viewers to what else will come for the film.

Screen Rant, nonetheless, highlighted that these criticisms might just also be a result of the rushed production of the film. The report mentioned that the scriptwriting to the filming and theater release of the movie took only a year after "The Conjuring" -- a practice that is not that effective and "rarely works."

The report by The Tracking Board did not specifically mention a filming and release date for the sequel of "Annabelle." However, with a sequel of "The Conjuring" already in the works, "Annabelle 2" might just come a little longer.