The Nun 2 Ups Conjuring Universe’s Black Representation, Says Writer

Akela Cooper, writer for the upcoming film The Nun 2, says that the film will include more Black representation for The Conjuring franchise.

Akela Cooper, writer for the upcoming The Nun 2, says the film will increase Black representation in The Conjuring franchise. The American gothic horror franchise first began with the titular film The Conjuring in 2013, and includes other horror films such as Annabelle and 2018’s The Nun. A sequel to the latter, The Nun 2 follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) in 1950s France as she comes face-to-face with the demonic Nun. It is set to be released in theaters on September 8.

In an interview with Dread Central, Cooper says that franchise newcomer Storm Reid will play a nun in the film.

Cooper says that she wanted to include a Black nun in The Nun 2, and that the other writers were entirely agreeable to the decision. Including more Black representation in The Conjuring Universe as a whole was a proud moment for Cooper, as the horror franchise stars predominantly white characters. Read Cooper’s comment below:

Especially, I was like really, really excited when they cast Storm Reid in the film, because that character means a lot to me. That was another part in that meeting where I was like, “I’m going to put a Black nun in this, you guys,” and they were like, “Okay cool.” Bringing more Black people into The Conjuring Universe was another proud moment.

Related: Every Upcoming & Rumored Conjuring Movie (What’s Next For The Conjurverse?)

Black Representation in Modern Horror Films

While The Conjuring movies are immensely successful, with the franchise grossing over $2 billion worldwide, there has been some backlash against the films for not including enough BIPOC representation. Despite the franchise currently expanding across eight films, there have been very few Black characters in any, and the Black characters that do appear are often relegated to background and supporting roles. However, Cooper’s insistence on including a Black nun in The Nun 2 could mean some long-awaited representation for The Conjuring films.

There is a long and fraught history of Black representation (or lack thereof) in horror films throughout the decades, with horror often focusing on white stories, and making Black characters villains or victims. However, films like Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Us, and Nope have proven to the industry that Black-led horror films can be incredibly successful, and Peele is now considered one of the most iconic horror directors of all time. Additionally, with more Black writers and crew members on horror films, Black representation will hopefully shift toward the better.

With Cooper having found massive success as the writer of M3GAN, and the historic success of other films in The Conjuring universe, giving Reid a major role in The Nun 2 is an important shift in the franchise’s typically white storytelling. With future films set to be added to the franchise, including The Conjuring 4, Cooper promising more Black representation in this film can hopefully change the horror casting norm in the future. Until then, horror audiences are eagerly awaiting The Nun 2, and to see Reid in action as the franchise’s first Black nun.

Next: The Nun 2 Needs To Pay Off The Original Film’s Weirdest Casting Decision

Source: Dread Central