The opening date for "The Conjuring 2" has been moved to 2016, Warner Bros. announced Monday, Oct. 20.
The horror sequel was taken out of its original Oct. 23, 2015 release date, with a new untitled New Line horror film taking its pre-Halloween slot.
The first "Conjuring" film, directed by James Wan, hit theaters in July 2013. The supernatural horror flick had a $20 million production budget and earned $318 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who played paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the first film, are expected to return for the sequel.
New Line's Toby Emmerich told Variety last year that the sequel will feature similar elements from the first film and will largely explore demonic possession.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that New Line would like Wan to return to direct the sequel, and perhaps the release date push was done to accommodate his busy schedule. The 37-year-old Australian film producer, screenwriter and film director of Malaysian Chinese descent is currently working on "Fast & Furious 7."
"The Conjuring's" spinoff "Annabelle," was released on Oct. 3, and just like its parent film, it was also a big hit at the box-office. With a production budget of only $6.5 million, the demon doll tale has already grossed $166 million worldwide as of Oct. 19. Given its box-office success, it is likely that an "Annabelle" sequel is under consideration, and that the original opening date for "The Conjuring 2" could be an ideal spot for the follow-up film, The Wrap reported.
Phil Claydon's "Crawlspace" as well as Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff's "Superstition" are two horror films in New Line's wheelhouse that could also possibly take over "The Conjuring 2's" original release date, according to Variety.
"Crawlspace" stars Michael Vartan as a widower who moves into a seemingly perfect new home with his daughter and new wife.
"Superstition," on the other hand, follows the story of a family that moves into a house that was once the site of a witch's execution. It is the Blumhouse-360 Film production that New Line acquired back in June, its first pickup in eight years.
Universal has also slotted its musical film "Jem and the Holograms" for release on Oct. 23, 2015.