Where Does Annabelle: Creation Fit In The Conjuring Timeline?

“Annabelle: Creation” director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out) has recently confirmed on Twitter that the upcoming sequel to “Annabelle’s” story will be directly related to its prequel and will indeed take place within the shared universe of “The Conjuring” franchise.

2014’s “Annabelle” was a prequel spin-off to the “The Conjuring” and the franchise’s second successful film. It proved to be the launch of a profitable series of films with “The Conjuring” premise.

Photo via Annabelle: Creation Trailer/YouTube Screenshot

A Pre-Origin Story For Annabelle?

For those of you who were too chicken to watch “Annabelle,” it basically tells the story of a creepy doll possessed by an evil, making it a conduit of terror that harassed a family during the 60’s. By the end of the film, we see “Annabelle” wrapped up and encased in glass in Ed and Lorraine Warren’s things-possessed-by-evil museum. The story seemed to end there, and so fans were left wondering how a Creation story would go since it has already told a great origin for “Annabelle.”

Photo via Warner Bros. Pictures

Sandberg, however, seems to pick up from this question. The director posted some updates on the film, seemingly a response to questions of how “Annabelle: Creation” fits into the whole thing. His tweet read:

“Annabelle Creation fits into the timeline even though we saw the doll get possessed in the first film. Exactly how spoils the end though … You don’t need to have seen the first Annabelle to enjoy/understand Creation but you’ll get a little extra out of the ending if you have.”

Expanding The Conjuring Franchise

“Annabelle” didn’t really have a very positive effect to critics, but it gained a lot of box office returns. When a sequel was announced in 2015, it didn’t come as a huge surprise to fans and critics. Sandberg was then attached to helm the film since then, moving on to getting the official title and announcing its release date. With Creation being emphasized, fans were quick to speculate about where the film was going story wise.

Photo via Warner Bros. Pictures

A trailer was released in April (which you can also watch below), continuing the eerie and mysterious vibe of the franchise. “Annabelle” starts Miranda Otto and young actress Lulu Wilson (Ouija: Origin of Evil). The plot will be focusing on the doll maker and how “Annabelle” was made, instead of the hauntings that happened due to the doll’s presence.

“Annabelle: Creation” hits theaters August 11, 2017. Watch the trailer below: