The Nun II: Why Warner Bros. Is In A Legal Battle With The Horror Franchise Star
"The Conjuring" franchise has scared up plenty of revenue at the box office since 2013. Though the accounts of Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) have been largely discredited in the years since the events originally occurred, that hasn't stopped fans from showing up to watch each new installment and spin-off of the series.
Of course, the latest entry is the upcoming "The Nun 2." The third entry in "The Conjuring" universe to feature the titular character, the sequel to The Nun's (Bonnie Aarons) first solo outing just goes further to prove the staying power of the character in the already crowded genre of horror icons old and new.
However, Aarons alleges that she hasn't received fair compensation for her role as the character. According to The Guardian, the actor has filed a suit that shows she hasn't been fairly paid for the merchandise that has been sold using her likeness. "Instead of accounting and paying in a transparent fashion, Warner Bros obscures and hides the true amount of Ms. Aarons' rightful share of merchandising revenues, all while continuing to exploit her," her lawsuit reads.
The Nun's appearance is closely linked to Bonnie Aarons' likeness
While the allegations, if true, are damning for Warner Bros. Pictures, they look worse when observed next to Bonnie Aarons' recompense for "The Nun," following the success of the character in "The Conjuring 2." According to the actor, she received only $71,500 to play the character, followed by a bonus of $175,000 based on the success of the spin-off.
This was meant to be sublimated by a deal that gave the performer a share of the revenue of any product that bears her likeness. However, Aarons' suit alleges that Warner Bros. Pictures has kept a share of that revenue secret from her, meaning she has been cheated out of her share of profits as acknowledged in the original deal.
Furthermore, unlike most horror icons, Aarons' appearance in "The Nun" and its sequel are not done with prosthetics or CG. Though she wears contacts and make-up, the face itself is Aarons' full likeness, meaning she has a pretty solid legal footing to stand on if the allegations are true. Whether Warner Bros. will seek to settle the deal before "The Nun 2" arrives in theaters on September 8, 2023, will remain to be seen.