UPDATE: While Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will appear in the upcoming CANDYMAN sequel, he will NOT be playing the titular character per director Nia DaCosta in an interview with Collider.

If you say his name five times he’ll appear. As previously reported a spiritual sequel to the classic Clive Barker gothic take, CANDYMAN is coming soon.  Producer Jordan Peele (who apparently doesn’t sleep or take vacations) teams with director Nia DaCosta to bring us this refreshed version of Candyman, which will return the titular boogeyman to a, now gentrified, Chicago.  While I originally hoped Horror Icon Tony Todd would return to the series, a new actor has been tasked with donning the bloody hook.  It was reported today that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will become this generation’s Candyman.  I’m pretty happy about the casting choice.  Abdul-Mateen is a solid actor and at 6’3 is tall enough to be seen as an imposing figure like Todd was.  The Yale School of Drama-trained actor, who previously appeared in THE GET DOWN, the upcoming US, and the little-seen indie AQUAMAN will join, previously cast LaKeith Stanfield, in the upcoming film.

The new CANDYMAN is expected in theaters on June 12, 2020.

Are you excited about the new casting?  Let me know in the comments.