If there’s a modern king of horror, his name is James Wan. The man responsible forThe ConjuringandSawis currently directingAquaman, but he’s got his plate full of other, horror-related projects he’s producing as well. One of his next movies is a horror/thriller titledThe Children, which has just locked downLinda Cardellini(Daddy’s Home) for the lead role. Not much has been revealed about the movie, but withJames Wanand an intriguing star leading the cast, this is already shaping up to be one you’re going to want to keep on your radar.
It appears that, for now, New Line Cinema is keeping the details onThe Childrenmostly under wraps. According to Variety, who broke the news of Linda Cardellini’s casting, the movie “follows a social worker who, while investigating the mysterious disappearance of two children, discovers her own family might also be in jeopardy.” Michael Chaves has been tapped to directThe Children, which will mark his feature directorial debut. Having James Wan as a producer is certainly helpful for a guy who is taking such a big step. Wan did the same for David F. Sandberg withLights Out, which turned out quite well. Sandberg went on to directAnnabelle: Creation, which was a huge hit, and has since moved on to directShazamfor the DCEU.
Even though James Wan isn’t directing, he tends to be a pretty hands-on producer, so expectThe Childrento have the feel of one of his movies, to some degree. New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. are currently expanding theirConjuringmovie universe with movies likeThe NunandThe Crooked Man, but, at the moment, it doesn’t appear thatThe Childrenis connected to that universe in any way. But don’t surprised if they are trying to pull a fast one on us with this one.
Linda Cardellini is a well-known actress, having recently starred in hits likeDaddy’s Home, as well as the sequel,Daddy’s Home 2. She also was a lead on Netflix’sBloodlineand played Velma in the live-actionScooby Doomovies. Despite having a long and prosperous career, she hasn’t had many chances to lead a movie.The Childrenis going to give her that opportunity.
According toVariety, James Wan will produceThe Children, via his Atomic Monster production banner. Gary Dauberman and Emile Gladstone are also on board to produce the movie, which has a script from Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis. New Line has been on a hot streak with their horror movies lately, withITrecently crossing the $600 million mark at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing horror movie ever. Also, the movies inThe Conjuringuniverse recently passed the $1 billion mark, with the help ofAnnabelle: Creation, which made just shy of $300 million at the box office this year. WillThe Childrenbe the next hit for them? It certainly has the makings of one.
