A few months back, we reported on rumors that Jordan Peele—who’s been bound and determined to make the most of his Get Out cachet over the last year, launching a staggering variety of film and television projects in the process—was producing a remake of the 1992 horror mainstay Candyman. Now, Variety is confirming not only that Peele is producing a remake of the slasher staple—about an urban legend-style serial killer who comes when you call his name five times, as if anyone would be dumb enough to invoke the Candyman that frequently—but has also picked out a director, confirming that Nia DaCosta will helm the new Candyman.
DaCosta broke into international acclaim with her first feature, Little Woods, a Western-ish crime thriller starring Tessa Thompson and Lily James that brought home one of the top prizes at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Peele called DaCosta a “bold new talent” in his statement on the news, calling it “truly exciting” to have her at the head of a “spiritual sequel” to the original film, which will debut in June 2020. (This new version will actually be the fourth Candyman movie, following two lackluster sequels in 1995 and 1999. Presumably we’re all fucked if this particular franchise gets to a fifth.)
Peele also noted that the Tony Todd-starring original was hugely influential on him as a horror director, being one of the first major modern thrillers to focus mostly on black characters and black issues. (Although Virginia Madsen was the film’s lead, the hook-handed murderer primarily stalked Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project.) Even if it is a little silly to think that so many people would be unable to resist the urge to say “Candyman” quite so many—Hey, did you hear that? One sec, we have to go check on something, We’ll be right back.
24 Comments
so Jordan Peele had one great idea and he’s done? He’s just gonna remake shit now?
That’s what happens when you accidentally create a masterpiece.
Ignore the troll above, although their new schtick of calling me racist AND a climate change denier is a pretty interesting take. Still doesn’t explain how Get Out was Peele’s one great idea when he was one of the co-creators and writers and actors in one of the best sketch shows ever (Key and Peele. His name’s literally in the title. It won a fucking Peabody).
these aged well
First, calm down.Second, he wrote and directed another movie called Us, which comes out in March.
The article literally says he’s working on a ton of projects.
Dude, you should, like, die. Seriously.
he will. and so will you.Fortuna omnibus aeque.
Is it possible that Jordan Peele and M. Knight Shyamalan are the same person?
He’s producing rather than directing this.
He’s currently directing another original psychological thriller/horror called Us, in addition to the many other projects that he is producing. This is but one of his many projects (some original and some existing properties) and it happens to be a horror series that deals specifically with the Black experience. The original is every bit as relevant now as it was then and an update to the story to fit our modern times and to address the gentrification of the neighborhoods the original is set in is very welcome.But let’s just dismiss it because the word remake is used in the article and that’s easier.
Chicago? Tony Todd? The Bears? Details!
**Da Bears
Candyman may have aged the best of the early 90s horror movies. Rose had a distinct and striking directing style, the performances are really good, and it evokes a gory gothic/urban feeling that’s almost unique. I’m not sure it needs a remake.
Was it a hit? I only ever recall it being around on VHS and have never actually seen it. If it’s got a solid concept but remains relatively unknown I can understand why they might want to revive it.
The first one is quite good. Check it out. Leave the sequels.
I’m sure. It doesn’t.
OK if they won’t use Tony Todd as Candy Man, I nominate RDJ
So I guess the good news is an actual vagina-carrying woman person of the female gender (and a black one at that!) gets to direct a horror movie. On the other hand, the rampage of remakes rolls on over another good movie that was already good.
Why not remake Candyman II or Candyman III? They sucked.
Is there a trailer for Little Woods?
For real…how are they going to remake Candyman without Cabrini Green? It’s gone. Torn down. It was central to the story.
I hope they get Anthony Anderson to play the Candyman. Be…my…victim…I …ate…the…whole…plate…
An update that specifically addresses the gentrification of that neighborhood has a lot of potential. The fact that Cabrini Green is gone may be a central part of the story for all we know. The bee-demon avenger of Cabrini Green would likely have a lot to say about the high rises and rich white folks that took over.
I wrote the story for this reboot. I submitted it to Monkey Paw Productions.