Just last week we brought you the first full-length trailer for the eagerly-awaited sequel The Nun II.
The clip reveals an atmospheric and dark world full of shadowy corners for Valak to haunt, and expectations have risen as a result, the trailer quickly went viral.
However, word now reaches us that some very late-stage test screenings have taken place for the film, and the results have been less than stellar.
Why Warner Bros have decided on additional testing at this late stage is unknown, but could hint at lingering doubts about the movie’s box-office potential. The Conjuring Universe has been one of the studio’s most profitable properties over the past decade, but returns have started to diminish. It’s entirely possible that the higher-ups want to secure a healthy profit with The Nun II, and to that end want to ensure everything is perfect.
As stated, the results of the test screenings were mixed at best. The movie’s atmosphere, performances and production design have been widely praised, the consensus being that this just may be the best-looking Conjuring piece to date.
However, vital elements of The Nun II received significant criticism, including a weak script, flimsy character motivations, and most worryingly, very weak scares. If this is the case, what can be done to remedy the issues before the movie’s September 9th release date?
Surely it is now too late for rewrites and reshoots? Are Warner Bros in a panic due to a potentially unprofitable sequel? Will we see the film released as is, or will the studio take somewhat drastic action and pull the movie so close to release? A lack of faith in the project may explain why the studio waited so long to release the first trailer.
So, is The Nun II heading for disaster? Will the film be rushed back into production? We will keep our ear to the ground and report any further developments.
