Although we've had to wait a bit longer than anticipated for the new CANDYMAN ilm thanks to this pesky pandemic, the film still appears on track for its October 16, 2020, release date. As we that release date approaches, Tony Todd, the man who brought the titular character to life back in 1992, is giving horror fans some good news in regards to the upcoming "spiritual sequel" to the original film.
Todd spoke with "MovieWeb" about his new movie IMMORTAL but the conversation eventually turned to CANDYMAN and how this new version compares to the 1992 film and this is what the actor had to say:
"I think we're going to be surprised about how many things have changed in 30 years, and how many things have stayed the same. It's a 30-year gap. So we have a new way of looking at it for an entirely new generation, who unfortunately may not have seen the source material. I'm lucky because due to the con world I have been able to keep this character alive and kicking for the 30-year gap. I'm not upset at all. I'm honored that someone thought the source material was important enough to renew the tale. And I know for a fact that is gonna be one of the most accepted and received horror films in a while. Right now, we're in a great moment. People are hungry, right? We haven't been able to go to the theaters. So hopefully we'll stick to the October 16th release date."
Although Tony Todd will be appearing in the new CANDYMAN film, Universal Pictures us being very hesitant about revealing his exact role in the movie. The sequel picks up in present-day Chicago with a new cast of characters, including Yahya Abdul Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, and Kyle Kaminsky. Even though Todd didn't reveal his exact role in the new film, he did say he will see the finished project before others because he's firmly a part of the team:
"Well, I'm not gonna have to wait like everybody else. They're finishing up touches and I'm probably going to get a copy in a timely fashion. I'm fully aboard the team. It's a great team. Nia DaCosta. Not only female director, but an African American director. You have Jordan Peele who is arguably one of the hottest producers around right now. I think people are gonna be proud to see the character and the story continue. The entire film is shot in Chicago. That new look Chicago."
CANDYMAN was originally set to open in June but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its delay. For now, the film is sticking to its October 16, 2020, release date but as we have seen in the recent past, these things can change. Todd explained that the reason for the move was because the studio wanted to release the film in a climate where it will have the maximum impact:
I would have preferred that we kept to the original release date, which was June 12. Because that was my aunt who raised me's birthday. As soon as I heard that release date I knew it was spiritually correct. But the world changed and we all have to make sacrifices. There are brighter minds to me that we're working on figuring out the maximum impact. I know that Universal wants the maximum impact for this release, as it should have. Let's put it this way, I know I signed side deals for toys and other ancillary products. So it has legs. I have legs [laughs]. Carry around from con to con over the years and meeting the generosity of fans who were kind enough to tell me the impact the film made on them when they first saw it, which is very important. The horror community is more special than any other genre of movies. We're so dedicated and we're such a huge community that you must appreciate it"
Tony Todd's enthusiasm definitely makes me more excited for the film. I did love the trailer that we got and thought it sold the story well along with not giving away too much. Perhaps a release date closer to Halloween will benefit the film more anyway and I guess we'll find out when CANDYMAN hits screens on October 16, 2000.