Writing on the wall, whispers in the classroom say Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is the new Candyman
Aux Features FilmNia DaCosta’s new spin on 1992's Candyman may have just found its ephemeral slasher. Variety reports that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who in addition playing Aquaman’s Black Manta will appear in Jordan Peele’s Us and HBO’s Watchmen series, is in talks to play the role originated by Tony Todd.
Peele is producing MGM’s Chicago-set “spiritual sequel.” The Cabrini-Green housing projects that set the stage for the original are gone, however, having been demolished as the neighborhood itself gentrifies. We’re just going to assume that a few gastropubs won’t be enough to keep a centuries-old ghost down.
DaCosta’s Candyman hooks its way into theaters on June 12, 2020.
23 Comments
Ehhhhh, I just hope Tony is in it somehow.
Tony Dow?
Ooof, the real candy man. The scary white old guy with a spray painted van.
Tony Plow, from Leave it to Beaver.
Yeah, they were gay.
That is a porn, right?
Tony the Tiger. Tony Montan~a. Tony Romo.
Came here to say this. Tony Todd better at least make a cameo.
I remember literally nothing about these movies other than the title, something having to do with honey, and the actor who played him.
I remember a decent amount about them. The beginnings of the character, Virginia Madsen being the heroine and the whole “bloody mary” aspect of how to summon him. Plus I just absolutely love bit actors “that guy” types. Tony Todd is right up there.
Speaking of the original movie’s setting, I was amused during my most recent rewatch to realize a weird implied element of the premise: that the housing project haunted by the Candyman was built on the site of the flesh-and-blood Candyman’s murder, a century-old public park called Cabrini Green. Or is the idea that the Candyman was killed in some unrelated park called Cabrini Green, and because of the similarity in the names his legend spread to Cabrini-Green, allowing his spirit to take root there?
“Yahya Abdul-Mateen II”Well at least no one will ever be saying that name three times.
five times, poser.
I’d been thinking that it was three times for years. That’s why he never turns up.
What is an “ephemeral slasher”? Sounds delicate and transitory.
This is one of the few cases where I think there’s enough meat on the bones of the original that there could be new angles for a remake to explore, but man, I do not envy this guy stepping into Tony Todd’s shoes.
I could more easily imagine different actors as Jason or Michael Myers, since the masks make them kind of anonymous, or even Freddie with all the burn makeup. But Tony Todd is utterly iconic as the Candyman. Though I am sure this guy will be good.
To this day I struggle watching Tony Todd in any movie; he will always be the Candyman to me, and that movie was, and will always be, absolutely terrifying.
You know what… ok. I want to see how he does it, because honestly I didn’t even think of him for the role, but now that that seems possible I am for it. Big shoes to fill though, for sure.
I wasn’t aware they were making a new candyman movie, but I think this dude would play a pretty good candyman. This actually kind of makes me want to go back and watch the original candyman-[and he was found dead the next morning]
What’s blood for if not for shedding?
I can see it.
no! just fucking leave it alone!