The upcoming semi-reboot of the “Candyman” franchise sees “Get Out” and “Us” director Jordan Peele serving as co-writer producer with Nia DaCosta (“Little Woods”) directing the horror feature.
Judging from marketing materials and social media talk though, Peele’s name is the one being used to help sell the film and so recently he spoke with Empire about why he chose not to step behind the camera as director for this and why he thinks DaCosta is a better fit.
Peele says he was working on “Us” when the film was planned out and so scheduling issues prevented him from getting more onboard. He doesn’t regret it though, quite the opposite:
“Quite honestly, Nia is better to shoot this than I am. I’m way too obsessed with the original tales in my head. I probably wouldn’t be any good. But Nia has a steady manner about her which you don’t see a lot in the horror space. She’s refined, elegant, every shot is beautiful. It’s a beautiful, beautiful movie. I’m so glad I didn’t mess it up.”
The new film picks up in the present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini Green towers were torn down. Anthony (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his girlfriend (Teyonah Parris) move into a loft in the now gentrified neighboorhood, and a chance encounter with an old-timer exposes Anthony to the true story behind Candyman.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Tony Todd and Vanessa E. Williams co-star in this ‘spiritual sequel’ which Peele says is “definitely a sense of taking ownership, and telling a black story about black people.” He goes on to say: “It was very important for all of us to have our main character be black, and for this experience to be through the black lens. Let’s make sure we change the lens now.”
“Candyman” is now reportedly set for a September 25th release.
