It's Rumor Time: Lakeith Stanfield might star in Jordan Peele's "spiritual sequel" to Candyman
Film Features FilmJordan Peele’s “spiritual sequel” to Bernard Rose’s Candyman has a potential new lead. Lakeith Stanfield is reportedly in talks to play a character named Anthony who, according to an “exclusive tip” to rumor site SuperBroMovies,
“is a socially pronounced artist in Chicago who researches the urban legend of Candyman. After investigating the killer’s last known whereabouts, strange killings begin to occur around Anthony. The protagonist will serve a role similar to that of Helen Lyle, the main character of the original movie.”
Stanfield and Peele are no strangers to socially aware material, so we’re hoping that Candyman’s tragic and heartbreaking origin will be explored and unpacked in the new film, just as Rose and Clive Barker’s film did back in 1992. Peele has expressed in the past that Candyman had a major influence on him, noting the film’s focus on black characters and black issues.
Directed by Nia DaCosta—whose first feature, Little Woods, currently sits at an impressive 100 percent “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes— Candyman is set to be released on June 12, 2020. The film is being co-written by Peele and his producing partner Win Rosenfeld, and will be produced by Peele’s MonkeyPaw Productions.
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Anthony is the name of the baby that Helen saves from Candyman in the original, so there might be a direct connection there.
I approve of this casting. I had issues with Sorry To Bother You, but he was fantastic in it.
Candyman is one of my favorite films. Part of its power comes from the gender dynamic between Helen and Candyman, as well as Helen and her academic counterparts. Lakeith Stanfield is good, but I’m happy Virginia Madsen’s performance is still out there.
Mileage varies on the sequels, but I did sort of admire the Candyman movies’ devotion to playing it straight and remaining virtually humorless in an environment where almost every major horror franchise from Freddy Krueger to Jason sort of quickly devolved into the realm of lame ‘horror comedy.’
Given the name it seems like he’s playing a grown up version of the baby from the first film. Hopefully Vanessa not-L Williams makes an appearance.
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June 12th, 2020? Oddly specific date for a movie that isn’t even written yet, or did I miss something?
The original is such a good movie. Was one of my favorites throughout middle and high school. Entire cast is aces.. Tony Todd, Virginia Madsen, Vanessa Williams. It’s actually scary, not pretend jump-scare scary.
Now you made me look up and want to see Little Woods, Tessa Thompson ftw