Warning: This article includes SPOILERS for The Conjuring: Last RitesThe Conjuring: Last Rites director Michael Chaves explains why the film’s ending does not feature a cameo from The Nun‘s Sister Irene. The latest entry in The Conjuring Universe follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they follow another horrifying paranormal case. The cast of Last Rites includes Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Elliot Cowan, Rebecca Calder, and Ben Hardy.

In the final moments of Last Rites, Judy Warren is married, and her emotional ceremony includes cameos from Lili Taylor of The Conjuring, Frances O’Connor of The Conjuring 2, and more. However, Taissa Farmiga, who has portrayed Sister Irene in The Nun films, is notably absent.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Chaves revealed that scheduling issues prevented a Farmiga cameo from happening. As Chaves explained, Taissa and Vera have not appeared on-screen simultaneously and “it was heartbreaking for everyone” to miss that opportunity. The director also added that inserting Taissa after filming could have been an alternative. Read some of his comments below:

She wanted to. I have been dying to get the Farmiga sisters on screen together. I think the only time they’ve been on screen together is in Vera’s movie Higher Ground, which is a great movie. Vera directed this. They’re actually not on screen together, but [Taissa] plays the younger Vera.

I probably should have just put her in digitally, just sH๏τ her on blue screen and put her in later because that would’ve worked.

Chaves revealed that having Taissa show up might have confused audiences, though. He explained that Sister Irene could appear “too young“, considering Last Rites is set in the 1980s. Check out more of Chaves’ comments:

I think then people would be like, ‘Wait! She looks too young chronologically for the ’80s. If she was in the ’50s, does she not age? Is she a vampire?’ It might have broken people’s brains a little bit.

What This Means For The Conjuring: Last Rites

The casting of Taissa Farmiga in The Conjuring franchise has excited audiences because of the rich family dynamic potential between her and Vera. Since appearing in The Nun, speculation has swirled about Sister Irene and if she would become a factor in the main series.

From what the movies have revealed, Sister Irene possesses some clairvoyant ability, resulting in theories about a possible connection to Lorraine. The Nun also features various direct links to The Conjuring, such as when an elderly and demon-controlled Frenchie was shown and when Lorraine finally explains that she had visions of Valak.

Having Sister Irene appear near the end of Last Rites could have been a mᴀssive moment for the popular horror franchise. However, Chaves’ comments about age make sense. And, considering Irene is not based on a real-life figure, unlike Lorraine and other characters, her inclusion may have led to even more questions.

Our Take On The Missing Last Rites Cameo

It is unknown how Taissa Farmiga would have appeared in Last Rites, but if place and time were issues, she could have been an unspecified wedding guest, not necessarily Sister Irene.

Still, any sort of cameo from Farmiga would have been thrilling for longtime fans and added yet another potential reference to The Conjuring: Last Rites. Because a sequel to The Nun II has not been announced, seeing Farmiga near the ending could have served as a farewell to Irene as well.