Cast This: Candyman

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

There are more remakes and reboots of classic horror movies out there than we know what to do with, and for the most part, few of them can hold a candle to the originals. However, there are a handful of horror remakes which are every bit the equal of their originators, with some even surpassing them, so it's never wise to assume that every remake will be terrible. The latest horror franchise to get the reboot treatment will be CANDYMAN, which began life as a short story by Clive Barker which told the tale of the vengeful spirit of a man killed by a lynch mob in the late 19th century.

The remake, which is actually being called a "spiritual sequel" to the original CANDYMAN film, 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. "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. "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." Production on the film is expected to begin this spring and Universal Pictures have already slated the film for a June 12, 2020 release.

In the mythology of CANDYMAN, the title character was the son of a slave who became a well-known artist, but after falling in love with a white woman in 1890, a lynch mob hired by his lover's father caught up with him. After cutting off his painting hand with a rusty saw and replacing it with a hook, the mob then smeared him with honey and released hungry bees which stung him to death. His body was then burned and his ashes were scattered in the area which would become Cabrini-Green. An urban legend then arose which stated that anyone who recited the name Candyman five times into the mirror and then turned off the lights would summon Candyman's ghost, who would then appear to slaughter the summoner.

It's been some time since I last watched the original CANDYMAN, but I still remember it standing out among the crop of early '90s slashers, and I would hope that Tony Todd, who played Candyman the original and the two sequels, will have a part to play in the retelling. Last month, Todd told Entertainment Weekly that he hadn'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." There hasn't been any casting done just yet, but it was reported last month that Lakeith Stanfield (SORRY TO BOTHER YOU) was being eyed for the leading role, a young Chicago man who is researching the Candyman urban legend.

Now, assuming Todd doesn't reprise the role, someone new will need to take on the mantle of Candyman, so just who has the guts to act with a mouthful of bees? That's up to you, but I'll toss out a few suggestions to get you started. In my mind, as fearsome as Candyman can be, he's also rather elegant, so the ability to simply be scary isn't enough. Mahershala Ali has had quite the year, winning praise and awards for his performance in GREEN BOOK as well as his leading role in the third season of HBO's True Detective, and while you might think that Ali is a little too high-profile at this point to take on a role in a horror remake/sequel, if anyone can land an A-lister, it'd be Jordan Peele. For my next pick I'll go with David Oyelowo (GRINGO), and as for my final suggestion, I'll skew a little older and go with Jeffrey Wright (Westworld), one of my all-time favourite actors who can utilize quiet menace like no other.

Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!

Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of Batman in Matt Reeves' (WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES) upcoming film. Naturally, this is a character which many of you are very passionate about so it produced quite a few responses, but the top three choices were John Krasinski (A QUIET PLACE), Karl Urban (THOR: RAGNAROK), and Armie Hammer (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME).