Candyman (2021)

[FilmUncensored]

The Jordan Peele-produced reimagining of Candyman is on.

Nia DaCosta, who helmed this year's indie modern Western Little Woods, has been hired to direct what is being billed as a contemporary and “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 horror pic, which Peele is producing with his Monkeypaw Productions partner Win Rosenfeld.

MGM, which made the announcement Tuesday, is behind the project and is teaming with Universal to release it. The latter has set a June 12, 2020, bow for the thriller.


The original movie adapted the Clive Barker story The Forbidden and told of the legend of the Candyman, a murdered son of a slave who is now a supernatural killer, and his unique relationship with a white grad student working on a thesis on urban legends, all set against the backdrop of a poor Chicago housing project.

The new story is once again set in the Windy City neighborhood, but it is now gentrified.

Production is expected to begin in the spring.

“The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre," Peele said in a statement. "Alongside Night of the Living Dead, Candyman was a major inspiration for me as a filmmaker, and to have a bold new talent like Nia at the helm of this project is truly exciting. We are honored to bring the next chapter in the Candyman canon to life and eager to provide new audiences with an entry point to Clive Barker’s legend."

Said MGM’s Jon Glickman, “We cannot wait for the world to see what the mind-blowing combination of Jordan, Win and Nia bring to the legend of Candyman. They have created a story that will not only pay reverence to Clive Barker’s haunting and brilliant source material but is also thoroughly modern and will bring in a whole new generation of fans.”

DaCosta’s Little Woods starred Tessa Thompson and Lily James and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it earned the filmmaker the Nora Ephron Award.

The Hollywood Reporter

[CelluloidPal]

Well, my faith in this just went into the toilet.

[LawnFurniture]

I'm 100% ready for a Candyman reboot, so this is great news. However, when did Jordan Peele become considered a big name in horror? Get Out was an okay movie but you don't see other breakout directors like Robert Eggers or Ari Aster getting the same amount of acclaim as Peele. Oh well! At least it's finally getting a Candyman reboot off the ground.

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by LawnFurniture

I'm 100% ready for a Candyman reboot, so this is great news. However, when did Jordan Peele become considered a big name in horror? Get Out was an okay movie but you don't see other breakout directors like Robert Eggers or Ari Aster getting the same amount of acclaim as Peele.

It's because a black filmmaker doing a horror movie is "woke".

[jrcorwin3]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

It's because a black filmmaker doing a horror movie is "woke".

...dog whistle much?

[Worship.my.wreck]

I still would much rather see a new sequel with Tony Todd, but with Jordan Peele attached, I'm in. Looking forward to hearing more about this.

[LordCrumb]

Tony Todd could still EASILY be Candyman. He has such an intimidating presence, and that voice.. who wouldn't want to see him return.

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

Tony Todd could still EASILY be Candyman. He has such an intimidating presence, and that voice.. who wouldn't want to see him return.

I don't see why he wouldn't. If its any kind of sequel to the original, you'd need Todd, this isn't an actor under tons of make up here. If they said its a total reboot I'd get replacing Todd but its a follow up to the original film, so for continuity sake you'd need your star back anyway.

[enenra]

Todd are we riot

[Markgway]

I think this is one of those cases where the fans would like to see Tony Todd return, but the filmmakers/bean counters will opt for someone younger and higher profile.

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I think this is one of those cases where the fans would like to see Tony Todd return, but the filmmakers/bean counters will opt for someone younger and higher profile.

Why not split the difference and just cast a young recognizable star as the protagonist/s. That way you'll bring in those looking for a young "hip" cast while not alienating those who loved the original (Peele included).

[AFFanAttic]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I think this is one of those cases where the fans would like to see Tony Todd return, but the filmmakers/bean counters will opt for someone younger and higher profile.

I have a lot of trouble seeing that happen in this case. This doesn't sound like a project where a company simply owns the rights and are making a director-for-hire picture. Jordan Peele sounds like a great fan of the original, it's his company that's producing, and he doesn't need to be doing this if it's a story that goes against what he wants to put out.

Although, who knows for certain what they have planned. If they want Todd to return for the story they want to tell (I've no doubt that they do), and someone at MGM thinks otherwise, the filmmakers have ample leveraging power to roll their eyes and make an easy case for why that MGM person is dumb and wrong.
I personally think they didn't mention Tony Todd in this announcement because it's so early before anyone else has closed negotiations. To even say "we hope Tony Todd will return" seems unnecessary from their end and feels like negotiating in public.

[FilmKoala]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I think this is one of those cases where the fans would like to see Tony Todd return, but the filmmakers/bean counters will opt for someone younger and higher profile.

I think you're right on the money with this, unfortunately. Just look at the way they keep talking about the project, it's a "spiritual sequel" and a "reimagining". I don't see Tony Todd being brought back.

Calling it now, they're gonna cast Michael B. Jordan.

[Worship.my.wreck]

I highly doubt they're bringing back Tony Todd. Todd seems like he would be more than happy to return, so if that was the plan, they would have announced it.

With Jordan Peele behind all this, I wonder if they give Donald Glover the call.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

With Jordan Peele behind all this, I wonder if they give Donald Glover the call.

Ugh. I'm sick of seeing Donald Glover's face everywhere. Hollyweird seems to think he's the only black man in existence.

Tony Todd or gtfo.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Ugh. I'm sick of seeing Donald Glover's face everywhere. Hollyweird seems to think he's the only black man in existence.

He was good in Lethal Weapon though.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by Markgway

He was good in Lethal Weapon though.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Let's go a step further than Tony Todd...

Virginia Madsen needs to come back, haunting whoever says "Helen" five times in what used to be Cabrini–Green.

[Darth Marcus]

Lakeith Stanfield has been cast as Candyman.

[AFFanAttic]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

Lakeith Stanfield has been cast as Candyman.

That instagram link doesn't seem to be working so I don't know who or what. But everywhere I've seen this reported says he's playing a reporter/researcher similar to Virginia Madsen's original role. Not as Candyman.

https://film.avclub.com/its-rumor-ti...dan-1832202610