Beale Street’s Teyonah Parris in talks to join Jordan Peele’s Candyman

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The upcoming CANDYMAN remake, which is actually being called a "spiritual sequel," is being developed by Jordan Peele (GET OUT) and will be directed by Nia DaCosta (LITTLE WOODS). Peele will also be penning the script alongside Win Rosenfeld and both will be serving as producers. The new film will be returning to the neighbourhood where the Candyman legend first began: the now-gentrified section of Chicago where the Cabrini-Green housing projects once stood.

With production expected to kick off late spring/early summer, the cast of CANDYMAN is beginning to come together and THR has reported that Teyonah Parris (IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK) is in talks to join the project. It was revealed last week that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (AQUAMAN) was also in talks to star in the film, and while most everyone has assumed that he would be playing Candyman, THR says that Abdul-Mateen II is actually up to play "an artist who becomes obsessed with the bloody legend" of Candyman. I suppose we'll have to wait and see what the case is. Should Teyonah Parris sign on, she would play an art dealer who is also the girlfriend of Abdul-Mateen II's character.

"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," said Peele in a statement when the project was announced. "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." Tony Todd, who played Candyman the original and the two sequels, has said that he hasn't yet spoken with Jordan Peele about the remake, but mentioned that he knows Peele is a fan and is hoping that he'll get to "appear in the film in some form of fashion. Wouldn’t that make sense? But it’s Hollywood, so I won’t take it personally if for some reason it doesn’t work out." Todd added, "If this new one is successful, it will shed light back on the original. I think the subject matter is more important than any individuals. And I mean that." The film has already been slated for a June 12, 2020 release.