The Revenge of La Llorona Sequel Officially Kicks Off Production

New Line's highly anticipated horror follow-up to the 2019 hit is finally underway with a fresh cast and creative team, starring Jay Hernandez and Monica Raymund.

Fans of supernatural horror can breathe a sigh of relief: The Revenge Of La Llorona, the much-anticipated sequel to 2019's The Curse of La Llorona, has officially begun production. This exciting development comes after several delays, bringing a new cast and director to continue the chilling legend of the Weeping Woman.

The original film captivated audiences with its take on the classic Hispanic American folklore. Now, with cameras rolling, the vengeful spirit is ready to reclaim the screen, promising a fresh, terrifying chapter for moviegoers.

Production for The Revenge of La Llorona has officially begun in New York. Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures. Production on "The Revenge of La Llorona" Kicks Off This Week in Buffalo, New York

Production for The Revenge of La Llorona commenced this week in Buffalo, New York, marking a significant milestone for the project. The sequel has been in the pipeline for some time, facing multiple shelving instances, making its official start a welcome surprise for many.

The cast features a mix of fresh faces and a beloved returning character. Jay Hernandez, known for his roles in Hostel and as the titular detective in Magnum P.I., joins the ensemble. Monica Raymund, a prominent star from TV's Chicago Fire, is also set to play a key role.

The ensemble cast further expands with Edy Ganem, recognized for her work in 9-1-1 and Devious Maids. Martín Fajardo, who recently appeared in Griselda and Betty in NY, is also on board. Child actors Acston Luca Porto, from Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, and Avie Porto, seen in Bob Hearts Abishola, round out the new additions.

Fans will be particularly pleased to know that Raymond Cruz is reprising his role as Rafael Olvera, the curandero, or traditional folk healer, from the original film. Cruz, celebrated for his performances in "Breaking Bad" and Alien: Resurrection, was instrumental in the first movie's fight against La Llorona, offering spiritual guidance and protection.

A New Creative Team Takes the Helm for the Supernatural Sequel

While some familiar faces are returning in front of the camera, The Revenge of La Llorona introduces a fresh creative team behind the scenes. Santiago Menghini, a Canadian filmmaker, steps into the director's chair. Menghini made his feature debut with the 2021 horror film No One Gets Out Alive, which earned critical attention for its unique take on the genre.

Menghini takes over from Michael Chaves, who directed the 2019 original. Chaves has since become a fixture in the wider horror landscape, having gone on to helm multiple installments in The Conjuring Universe, including The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, and the upcoming 2025 release, The Conjuring: Last Rites.

The script for The Revenge of La Llorona was penned by Sean Tretta. Tretta's prior credits include working on James Wan's Creature from the Black Lagoon feature set up at Universal, as well as the TV series 12 Monkeys. He replaces the original screenwriters Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, known for Nightbooks.

Despite the changes in director and writer, the core producing team remains consistent. Horror stalwarts James Wan, Gary Dauberman, and Emile Gladstone are back to oversee the project, ensuring a continuity of vision for the franchise. Additionally, Mia Maniscalco, Jamie Buckner, Michael Clear, and Judson Scott are joining as executive producers.

The Weeping Woman Returns: What We Know About the Story

The official synopsis for The Revenge of La Llorona promises a compelling and terrifying narrative. The story sees the vengeful spirit of La Llorona returning, intensifying her relentless pursuit. This resurgence forces a deeply fractured family to confront their painful past and long-buried secrets.

To combat the ancient evil, the family must join forces with their estranged curandero grandfather. His knowledge of spiritual matters and traditional remedies becomes their last hope to battle the malevolent entity and prevent the Weeping Woman from claiming their children forever. This setup suggests a blend of supernatural horror with themes of familial reconciliation and cultural heritage.

Analyzing the Success of "The Curse of La Llorona" and its Sequel's Journey

The original The Curse of La Llorona was a surprise box office hit upon its release in 2019. Despite receiving a "lackluster critical reception" and a 26 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film grossed an impressive $123 million worldwide against a modest production budget of just $9 million. This strong financial performance made a sequel a logical, albeit delayed, prospect.

The journey to this sequel, however, has been anything but smooth. The project was reportedly "shelved multiple times," with one instance occurring as recently as early 2024. These delays were speculated to be due to "budgetary issues." The ultimate decision to move forward with production reflects renewed confidence in the horror genre and its profitability.

Industry sources, as reported by THR, speculate that the "massive success of Final Destination Bloodlines may have instilled confidence in horror sequels' ability to perform with audiences." This, combined with the enduring strength of supernatural horror franchises like The Conjuring, which saw The Conjuring: Last Rites gross over $460 million worldwide, likely contributed to the sequel's resuscitation. Latino audiences, in particular, have shown a strong affinity for these scares, a market The Revenge of La Llorona hopes to further engage.

Dispelling Myths: The Truth About "The Curse of La Llorona" and The Conjuring Universe

One of the most persistent questions surrounding The Curse of La Llorona, and now its sequel, is its connection to the hugely successful The Conjuring Universe. While the film featured a brief appearance by the Annabelle doll and included Tony Amendola reprising his role as Father Perez from the Annabelle movie, it is definitively not considered an official installment in the main franchise.

Producer Peter Safran, a key figure in The Conjuring Universe, explicitly confirmed this, stating, "You can’t count it! It periodically gets lumped in because of Chaves and because of Atomic Monster, but it is not officially part of the universe." Safran elaborated that a primary reason for this distinction is that the film "didn’t include one of the key producers, which is Peter Safran. The Conjuring is his baby, him and James, and they are still the two core producers on it."

Original director Michael Chaves echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the debate. He admitted to playing "coy in the past" about the connection but clarified, "The idea was that [the Annabelle cameo] was going to be this little hidden thing that you were going to discover as you watch the movie." He emphasized that the absence of core producers like Safran prevented its formal inclusion. So, while it shares stylistic elements and a fleeting cameo, The Curse of La Llorona stands as an independent horror story, connected in spirit but not officially part of the main Conjuring canon.

This distinction positions The Revenge of La Llorona to further explore the rich folklore of the Weeping Woman without necessarily being constrained by the broader continuity of the Warrens' paranormal investigations. It allows the new creative team to forge its own path within the horror genre.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect from "The Revenge of La Llorona"

As production for The Revenge of La Llorona is now officially underway, horror fans have much to anticipate. The sequel aims to build on the original's financial success and delve deeper into the terrifying legend. The combination of returning producers and a fresh director and writer promises a new perspective on this beloved, yet terrifying, entity.

While Raymond Cruz is confirmed to return as the curandero Rafael Olvera, there has been no official confirmation regarding the return of other original cast members, including Linda Cardellini, Roman Christou, Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, Tony Amendola, or Marisol Ramirez, who played La Llorona herself. The focus appears to be on a new family dynamic facing the ancient evil.

Currently, The Revenge of La Llorona does not yet have an official release date. However, with filming now active, more details, including a potential release window and first-look images, are expected to emerge in the coming months. The horror community will be eagerly watching for updates on this long-awaited sequel.

Key Details: The Revenge of La Llorona

Detail	Information
Official Title	The Revenge of La Llorona
Original Film	The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Production Status	Currently in production (started this week)
Filming Location	Buffalo, New York
Director	Santiago Menghini (No One Gets Out Alive)
Writer	Sean Tretta (working on James Wan's Creature from the Black Lagoon)
Returning Producers	James Wan, Gary Dauberman, Emile Gladstone
Executive Producers	Mia Maniscalco, Jamie Buckner, Michael Clear, Judson Scott
New Cast Members	Jay Hernandez, Monica Raymund, Edy Ganem, Martín Fajardo, Acston Luca Porto, Avie Porto
Returning Cast Members	Raymond Cruz as Rafael Olvera
Story Premise	La Llorona returns, forcing a fractured family to confront their past and unite with their estranged curandero grandfather to battle ancient evils and save their children.
Release Date	To be announced

The return of the Weeping Woman promises more scares and cultural depth. With a revitalized creative team and a strong cast, The Revenge of La Llorona is poised to deliver a terrifying experience that horror fans have eagerly awaited for years. Stay tuned for more updates as production continues.