Jordan Peele has co-written the script for a spiritual sequel to Candyman alongside his MonkeyPaw Productions partner Win Rosenfield, and now he is eyeing a familiar face to star in the film. Lakeith Stanfield, having had a supporting role in Get Out, is being eyed for the lead and is in talks to play the protagonist.
Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) is directing and the film is currently set to hit cinemas on June 12, 2020. Stanfield is reportedly not in line to take over the titular role made famous by Tony Todd. Instead, he is in talks to play Anthony, a young man residing in Chicago who is researching the urban legend known as Candyman.
It sounds as if Stanfield is being tasked with playing a similarly inquisitive character as Virginia Madsen‘s protagonist in the original film. Peele is likely aiming to imbue the new Candyman with the same kind of social relevance as he did with Get Out, and the material is ripe for a deeper dive.
Candyman was originally a slave who had his hand cut off, replacing it with the famous hook. The original short story was written by horror legend Clive Barker, and Peele said the original 1992 film was “a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre”.
Obviously anything Peele is involved with right now is exciting, but this is especially so. Although the original Candyman was a well-received horror film, it has been forgotten in some circles, and never really got the chance to develop its titular villain into something iconic similar to Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees. Now perhaps is that chance.
Stanfield has broken out as a bit of a star over the last few years, with his role on TV in Atlanta, as well as playing the lead in the audience-pleasing social satire Sorry To Bother You.
He’ll next be seen alongside Gina Rodriguez in the Netflix romcom Someone Great. He’s also finished shooting on Rian Johnson‘s murder mystery Knives Out, and also has a role in the Safdie Brothers’ next film, Uncut Gems.
#Peace.Love.Candyman
