"Annabelle" Scares Up October Bow

Variety reports that Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have announced that "Annabelle," the spin-off film centering on the haunted doll character from last year's hit supernatural thriller "The Conjuring" will be released on October 3rd 2014.

The film would center on Annabelle, the haunted doll which is housed in a locked away collection of possessed artifacts owned by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga and  Patrick Wilson)

Separate from the main storyline of the first film, the doll is a key part of that film's prologue and comes into play briefly in the second half.

 Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton and Alfre Woodard star in the film.

No specific plot  details are available for the spin-off which will take place before the events in "The Conjuring". John R. Leonetti, who served as cinematographer on the first pic is set to direct using a script by Gary Dauberman. 

Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes, who wrote the first film, are penning the The Conjuring 2 but aren't involved in the spin-off.

The film will be produced by Peter Safran Conjuring helmer James Wan will serve as an executive producer.

"Annabelle" goes up against David Fincher's "Gone Girl" and the Reese Witherspoon-led refugee drama "The Good Lie."