McKenna Grace Joins James Wan’s New Horror Film Malignant

March 6, 2020

According to Deadline, rising young star McKenna Grace has been tapped to join Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema’s forthcoming horror film Malignant, which reunites Grace with The Conjuring universe creator James Wan, who have previously worked together in last year’s Annabelle Comes Home. The film will be Wan’s first non-Conjuring horror collaboration with the two studios, and principal photography wrapped late last year.

At a very young age, McKenna Grace has already appeared in numerous high profile films such as: Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day: Resurgence; the 2017 drama film Gifted opposite Chris Evans; the critically-acclaimed biopic drama I, Tonya; and Marvel Studios’ first female-led film Captain Marvel. Grace will next be seen in Jason Reitman’s highly-anticipated supernatural comedy Ghostbusters: Afterlife which will hit the theaters on July 10.

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

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.

DC Comics fans don’t have to fret, however, as Wan’s current plan is to move into pre-production on the sequel to last year’s critical and commercial smash Aquaman after production wraps on the horror project.

The August 14, 2020 release date will see Malignant going up against three other movies including Sony Pictures’ Escape Room 2, Universal’s action-thriller Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk and Disney’s star-studded film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan.