The third installment of New Line Cinema’s hugely successful Annabelle films starring the infamous sinister doll from the Conjuring universe, Annabelle Comes Home opened in theaters and IMAX last Wednesday, June 26th.

Writer/Director Gary Dauberman and Writer/Producer James Wan on the set of New Line Cinema’s horror film ANNABELLE COMES HOME. (Courtesy: Warner Bros./ Justin Lubin)

Gary Dauberman, the screenwriter of the Annabelle films, IT and The Nun, makes his directorial debut on the film, which is produced by Peter Safran, who has produced all the films in the Conjuring franchise, and Conjuring universe creator James Wan.

The film stars Mckenna Grace as Judy; Madison Iseman as her babysitter, Mary Ellen; and Katie Sarife as troubled friend Daniela; with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the director Gary Dauberman and we chatted about casting the perfect young actresses, why he decided to direct this time around and the challenges on doing it and much more.

More about the film

Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her “safely” behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest’s holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target—the Warrens’ ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends.

Dauberman directed the film from a screenplay he wrote, from a story by Dauberman & Wan. Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Michael Clear, Michelle Morrissey and Judson Scott served as executive producers.

Dauberman’s behind-the-scenes team included director of photography Michael Burgess (upcoming “The Curse of La Llorona”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Annabelle: Creation,” “The Nun”), editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman”) and costume designer Leah Butler (“Annabelle: Creation”). The music is by Joseph Bishara (“The Conjuring” films).