Oscar winner Jordan Peele made it official on Tuesday that he will be writing and producing a "spiritual sequel" to the 1992 horror film Candyman with newcomer Nia DaCosta directing.
The original Candyman was based on Clive Barker's short story "The Forbidden" and starred actor Tony Todd as an urban boogeyman with a hook for a hand who can be summoned to kill you if you say his name five times into a mirror.
Peele calls the original Candyman "a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre" and "a major inspiration" to him as a filmmaker. He looks at this new sequel (there have been two already) as an entry point for new fans.
Fans of the Candyman films are already super excited.
Candyman is so damn underrated (and politically sharp), and I’m beyond excited Jordan Peele is doing the lord’s work in bringing one of horror’s best villains back. https://t.co/GN1X4UFHyl
No other piece of news today has owned this hard. I am dizzy with excitement. https://t.co/BGMWVAoYGm
Fuck yes!! One of the best horror films is getting a reboot!! 👨🏾🦲#candyman @JordanPeele 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/PHW9VwwZs1
Especially with Nia DaCosta, recent winner of the Nora Ephron Award at the Tribeca Film Festival for directing the film Little Woods.
YES HI, FEMALE DIRECTOR NIA DACOSTA AND PRODUCER JORDAN PEELE. HI YES, TAKE ALL MY MONEY, please and thank you‼️😍 #Candyman by @NiaDaCosta and @JordanPeele ? Sign me so far up for this that I am in the stars. Watch me dress like a bee to see it. Don’t think I won’t. https://t.co/bIkHzv5MUt
Historically, franchise horror films have almost never been directed by women. So it's pretty cool to hear that Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) will be directing CANDYMAN (2020), co-written/produced by Jordan Peele!
THIS RE-IMAGINING OF CANDYMAN WILL HAVE A BLACK WOMAN DIRECTING?!
And the possibility of Tony Todd returning to the role.
Just an FYI, @TonyTodd54 is Candyman. It’s the same thing as Robert Englund as Freddy. If you’re gonna take ideas take them completely or don’t take em at all.
Of course I hope @TonyTodd54 is involved in #Candyman cuz he mixes it with love...
Let’s all say his name 5 times so he comes back quick. Ready? Go #Candyman