Leigh Whannell, screenwriter and co-star of both Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2, is set to make his directorial debut with the third installment of the popular franchise. Whannell will take the reigns from franchise co-creator James Wan. The film is due out April 3, 2015.

Whannell and Wan burst onto the horror scene in 2004 with Saw, which was made for around $1 million and ended up becoming one of the most successful horror franchises of the last twenty years. Whannell stuck around on the popular Saw series, writing the first three films, while Wan relinquished his directing duties after the first. Insidious put Wan and Whannell back on the map in 2010 after the dud that was Dead Silence. Directed by Wan and written by and co-starring Whannell, Insidious had one of the biggest openings for a horror film ever, and Chapter 2, the sequel which made its debut last fall, was also very successful.

Wan has said that after last summer’s mega hit The Conjuring, as well as Insidious: Chapter 2, that he is “finished with the horror genre” and has currently moved on to direct Fast & Furious 7. Wan will still serve as a producer on the continuation of the Insidious franchise, and tweeted his excitement for his friend with the following:

I’m truly honored & excited to b passing the torch onto my great bud @LWhannell, who’ll make his directorial debut w #INSIDIOUS 3 @blumhouse— James Wan (@creepypuppet) May 7, 2014

Thrilled to be producing alongside @blumhouse – to support @LWhannell like a spectre from the Further! People, this will b special. — James Wan (@creepypuppet) May 7, 2014

Whannell tweeted his excitement, saying:

I am really excited and I know I have giant shoes to fill. Let’s do this @blumhouse!

— Leigh Whannell (@LWhannell) May 7, 2014

Watching @creepypuppet work over the past decade has been the best film school for horror anyone could wish for!

— Leigh Whannell (@LWhannell) May 7, 2014

Insidious: Chapter 3, written and directed by Leigh Whannell, hits theaters April 3, 2014.