I’ve been saying his damn name since 1999 after that shitfest known as CANDYMAN: DAY OF THE DEAD but now he decides to appear.  As previously reported, Jordan Peele is working to bring us a new chapter in the CANDYMAN franchise.  Today it was announced that not only has a director been hired, but a release date has also been announced.  Nia DaCosta (LITTLE WOODS) has been announced as the director of the upcoming reboot from a script written by Peele and Win Rosenfeld.

“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,” 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.”

This news makes me happy.  Rather than a remake, this film is being touted as a “spiritual sequel” and returns the audience to the original film’s setting in Chicago.  Since the Cabrini-Green housing project-setting has been demolished the new story will take place in a rapidly gentrified downtown Chicago.  No actor has been announced as taking over the role of Candyman AKA Daniel Robetied and this makes me wonder if negotiations are underway for Tony Todd’s return.  If this movie falls in the “sequel” category more than the “remake” category, having Todd- who’s still very active in the horror genre- return this film could be just as successful as the latest HALLOWEEN sequel.  On another note,  Nia DaCosta will also be an anomaly in the horror field- a director who’s a Black woman.  It’s about damn time.  I assume this movie isn’t produced by Blumhouse.  

The new CANDYMAN film is scheduled for release June 12, 2020.