Tony Todd

Horror icon Tony Todd, who portrayed the titular boogeyman in the first theatrical ‘Candyman’ film, as well as in two direct-to-video sequels, will appear in the upcoming “spiritual sequel” to be directed by Nia DaCosta, with a script co-written by Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, both of whom also serve as producers.  Peele has expressed that the first ‘Candyman’ made a huge impression on him, so you know this film will be handled with respect.

During an appearance at Nickel City Con in New York, speaking to podcast Sofa King Cool Online, Todd admitted:

“Out of the blue I got a phone call from Jordan Peele. We’re still waiting for the contract, but the way he explained it to me was that it’s gonna be applause-worthy moments. That’s his words. No matter what happens with that, it’s gonna just put renewed attention on the original.”

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who played Black Manta in ‘Aquaman’, has signed on to succeed Todd in the role as the hook-wielding, bee-covered killer ghost.  Teyonah Parris (‘If Beale Street Could Talk’) has signed on as the female lead, although so far, those are the only two cast members that have been announced.

 

RELATED:  Tony Todd Approves Of Jordan Peele Remaking ‘Candyman’

 

The original ‘Candyman’ was set in the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago, a rather rough neighborhood at the time.  But in reality, that area has now been gentrified and overtaken by yoga studios and organic coffee shops.  Not much has been revealed about the new version, but something tells me if you want to see a bunch of hipsters getting skewered worse than (and more literally than) in all eight seasons of ‘Portlandia’, this might be the cinematic escape for you.

Even though the cast isn’t fully filled-out, the reboot (er, “Spritual Sequel”) of ‘Candyman’ has a release date of June 12, 2020, so expect news to start pouring in.

If you’d like  to watch all of Todd’s interview, you can find it below: