‘The Conjuring 2′ Investigates a 2016 Release Date

Now that James Wan is free to return to direct 'The Conjuring 2,' and after a little release date shuffling, New Line has decided to move the upcoming sequel onto some prime movie real estate: 'The Conjuring 2' will hit theaters in the summer of 2016, as New Line looks to duplicate the success of the first film, which hit theaters in the summer of 2013.

Wan had previously stated that he wanted to distance himself from horror films after directing 'The Conjuring,' but after completing work on 'Furious 7,' he's getting back into the genre with 'The Conjuring 2.' New Line had scheduled a pre-Halloween release date of October 23, 2015 for the sequel, but replaced it with an untitled horror film and delayed the release of the follow-up, presumably to work with Wan's schedule.

Variety now reports that the studio has scheduled 'The Conjuring 2' for a June 10, 2016 release, looking to replicate the first film's success -- which shouldn't be too hard now that they've got Wan back in the director's chair.

The first film was based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who are called upon when a family is being tormented by evil spirits in their new home. 'The Conjuring' led to the spinoff 'Annabelle,' which was also based on a real-life case investigated by the Warrens.

Wilson and Farmiga are expected to return for the sequel, but it's unclear which of the Warrens' cases the new film will explore. The pair are responsible for investigating famous cases like the Amityville house and the case that served as the basis for the horror film 'The Haunting in Connecticut.'