It’s been a little while since we got any news about the upcoming, hugely-anticipated Candyman reboot-quel. But, off the back of the legendary Tony Todd confirming he’s returning in an as-yet-undisclosed role, we now know someone else from the beloved movie will be coming back alongside him.
According to Bloody Disgusting, Helen Lyle, the character made famous by Virginia Madsen in Bernard Rose’s original nightmare-starter, will be a main component of the new Candyman. It’s not yet clear whether Madsen will be taking part in Nia DaCosta’s upcoming movie, but BD confirmed Lyle will be played by Cassie Kramer.
Kramer joins Aquaman‘s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the flick which is co-written and produced by horror hero Jordan Peele. The story reportedly takes place in the same neighborhood as the original film, a now-gentrified section of Chicago where the Cabrini-Green housing projects were originally located.
The upcoming Candyman reboot, described as a “spiritual sequel” to Rose’s film, fills us with both excitement and anxiety. First off, it’s being helmed by DaCosta, whose debut, Little Woods, was a startlingly self-assured calling card. But, without Tony Todd as the titular character, is it really a Candyman movie?
To be fair, nobody has explicitly confirmed Todd isn’t returning as his most famous character, but no news isn’t necessarily good news when it comes to horror remakes (just ask Kane Hodder). Abdul-Mateen II was initially announced as Todd’s successor, but DaCosta clarified those reports with Collider:
It’s been slightly misreported. I can’t say what’s happening in the film because we want it to be a surprise, but he’s not replacing Tony Todd
Likewise, speaking to Forbes, Todd himself assured fans there was nothing to worry about, because the project is in the right hands:
In Jordan Peele’s case I really like what I’ve seen of his work so far. I have full confidence in that remake being in competent hands and he and I have talked. I can’t say anything further than that, but I think the fans are going to be happy
Most tantalizingly, a video posted by Sofa King Cool magazine, taken from an interview with the great man at Nickel City Con, gave us even more reason to hope Todd will be involved in the upcoming flick proper.
The Horror Icon once again reiterated his support of and love for Peele, noting he was “a little concerned” at first but was happy to receive a phone call from the Get Out director while on location for another movie. Todd then teased fans on what to expect from his involvement in the remake:
It’s going to be an applause worthy moment…
He also, once again, reiterated his undying love of Candyman, noting how “flattering” it is people still care about the movie nowadays. Todd also argued that anything that could bring renewed attention to the original could only be a good thing.
The plot of the upcoming movie is being kept tightly under wraps, but we do know Teyonah Parris (Chi-Raq, If Beale Street Could Talk) will also feature, as the girlfriend of an art dealer who becomes obsessed with the Candyman legend. Judging by Todd’s recent comments, he might very well be appearing as the entity himself again.
The Candyman reboot hits theaters on June 12, 2020. Stay tuned to the site for more info on the movie as the date draws nearer.
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