Focus Features has released the first Insidious 3 image, which reveals that the horror pic is actually a prequel to the low-budget franchise.  Insidious and Insidious Chapter 2 screenwriter Leigh Whannell takes over directing duties this time around from James Wan, as the story revolves around a teenage girl and her family, revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm of The Further.  The cast is led by Dermot Mulroney and Stefanie Scott, with Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, and Whannell himself reprising their roles from the previous two movies.  Additionally, Focus is launching a sweepstakes for fans to win a visit to the set, which you can enter by visiting the official Facebook or Twitter pages.

I have yet to see a single Insidious movie so I don’t have much of a reaction to this image or prequel news, but what say you Insidious fans?  Are you pleased by this development?  Check out the first Insidious 3 image after the jump and sound off in the comments.  Insidious: Chapter 3 opens in theaters on May 29, 2015.

insidious-chapter-3-image

Here’s the official start-of-production press release:

SANTA MONICA, July 22nd, 2014 – Focus Features, Entertainment One (eOne), Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA), and Blumhouse Productions announced today that Insidious: Chapter 3 has begun production in Los Angeles. Leigh Whannell, co-creator of the terrifying horror franchise, is writing and directing the new movie.

To commemorate the start of production of the series’ newest chapter, Focus is launching a sweepstakes on the official Insidious Facebook (www.facebook.com/InsidiousMovie) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/InsidiousMovie) pages. Insidious buffs and fans will have the chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles to visit the set of Insidious: Chapter 3. The contest begins on Tuesday, July 22nd, and ends on Friday, July 25th. The contest’s complete official rules can be accessed at www.focusfeatures.com/article/insidious_set_visit.

Insidious: Chapter 3 stars Dermot Mulroney (of August: Osage County) and Stefanie Scott (of Blumhouse’s upcoming Jem and the Holograms) alongside Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, and Mr. Whannell, with the latter trio reprising their roles from the first two movies in the franchise.

In Insidious: Chapter 3, a twisted new tale of terror begins for a teenage girl and her family, predating the haunting of the Lambert family in the earlier movies and revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm The Further. 

Focus Features will release Insidious: Chapter 3 domestically nationwide on Friday, May 29th, 2015. eOne will distribute the picture in Canada, U.K., and Spain; and Sony will distribute the picture in the rest of the world. Jason Blum of Blumhouse, who produced both previous movies in the series, is producing the next installment with returning producer Oren Peli and franchise co-creator James Wan, who directed the two earlier films written by Mr. Whannell with story by Mr. Wan and Mr. Whannell. Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Steven Schneider, Charles Layton, and Xavier Marchand are executive-producing Insidious: Chapter 3.

Insidious, released in 2011, and Insidious: Chapter 2, released in 2013, grossed a combined $257 million worldwide.