Jordan Peele’s Candyman sequel snags release date & director!

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Truthfully I wasn't sure if the rumors of writer-director Jordan Peele's CANDYMAN reboot were truth or, you know, just rumor. But it looks like it's all true as today we have word via Variety that the project has snagged its director in the form of LITTLE WOODS writer-director Nia DaCosta (pictured above with Robert Redford). Not only that but we have also learned that the “spiritual sequel” will return to the neighborhood where the legend began: The now-gentrified section of Chicago where the Cabrini-Green housing projects once stood. Production is expected to begin next spring. 

Peele said:

The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre. 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.

MGM Motion Picture Group president Jonathan 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.

Based on Barker's story The Forbidden, the original CANDYMAN was written and directed by Bernard Rose. The synopsis: 

A children's ghost story comes to terrifying life in this gut-wrenching thriller about a graduate student whose research into modern folklore summons the spirit of the dead. 

Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) laughs when she interviews college freshmen about their superstitions. But when she hears about Candyman, a slave spirit with a hook hand who is said to haunt Chicago's notorious Cabrini-Green housing project, she thinks she has a new twist for this thesis. Braving the gang-ridden territory to visit the site of a brutal murder, Helen arrogantly assumes Candyman can't really exist… until he appears, igniting a string of terrifying, tragic slayings. But the police don't believe in monsters, and they charge Helen with the grisly crimes. Only one person can set her free: CANDYMAN.

Universal Pictures will handle domestic theatrical distribution and will release the movie theatrically on June 12, 2020. Now while the idea of a CANDYMAN reboot/sequel isn't really my cup of tea, with these powerhouse talents behind the scenes, I say bring it on and don't forget the cameos while you're at it! What do YOU think? Let us know below!