Jordan Peele to Develop CANDYMAN Sequel
Deadline reports that MGM has partnered with Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld to produce a reboot of the horror classic Candyman.
The two will pen the screenplay, to be directed by Nia DaCosta for a release in 2020. Rosenfeld is the president of Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, which will co-produce with MGM, which will finance the picture. DaCosta’s crime drama Little Woods recently gained her the Nora Ephron Award.
The new film is being touted as a “spiritual sequel” to the original from 1992, which was based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden”. Set in the same Chicago neighborhood, which has been gentrified and redeveloped with new housing. So, likely both a sequel and a reboot to launch a new franchise of films.
The announcement comes from 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,” Glickman said. “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.”
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 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.”
Tony Todd, who played the original Candyman, posted this reaction on Twitter:
topsy turvy. #Spiritualsequl
many feelings. waiting for juneteenth #ancestors #Candyman— Tony Todd (@TonyTodd54) November 27, 2018
while @RealCliveBarker gave the #horrorcommunity #bookoftheforbidden let's not ever forget it was @BernardJMRose who had the genius to transpose #candyman to #cabrinigreen & a legend was born #nextchapter
— Tony Todd (@TonyTodd54) November 28, 2018
No word on whether or not Todd is involved, either with a cameo or reprising his role as Daniel Robitaille/Candyman. His reference to Juneteenth in the same post is interesting. Does that mean the emancipation celebration might figure into the plot?
The sequel is set for release June 12, 2020 through Universal Pictures. Cameras will start rolling this spring.
