James Wan’s Return to Horror Malignant Scores R-Rating

BEGIN SLIDESHOW

James Wan’s return to horror Malignant scores R-rating

A month after it was announced that the film would receive a simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release alongside Warner Bros.’ other films, James Wan’s return to the horror genre Malignant has now earned an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association for “Strong horror violence, gruesome images, and for language,” according to Bloody Disgusting.

Originally scheduled for an August 14, 2020 release date, Malignant was moved by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema to an indefinite date due to the ongoing pandemic. The film will be Wan’s first non-Conjuring horror collaboration with the two studios, and principal photography wrapped late last year.

Malignant will star Annabelle Wallis (Annabelle), Jake Abel (Supernatural), George Young (Containment), Maddie Hasson (Mr. Mercedes), Michole Briana White (Encino Man), Jacqueline McKenzie (Pine Gap) and McKenna Grace (Annabelle Comes Home).

The film, whose plot is being kept under wraps, is based on a story co-written by Wan and his fiance Ingrid Bisu, who starred in The Nun and recently got engaged to the 42-year-old Australian director. Wan will also produce the film through his Atomic Monster banner alongside Michael Clear. The film is being financed through Starlight Media and Midas Innovation, who will distribute in China as New Line handles the remaining distribution. Malignant seemingly has no relation to the James Wan penned graphic novel Malignant Man, previously set up as a feature film at Fox, though given the titles it’s not a stretch to imagine a connection.

The latest horror film from Wan is currently slated for an unknown 2021 simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release, as Warner Bros. will be doing with all of their films this year, and with the rating now secured chances are high fans can look forward to a trailer in the near future.