Horror icon Tony Todd is best known for his role asCandyman, the horror creation of author Clive Barker, and as he reprises the title role in the delayed sequel, he has confirmed in a recent interview that the new adaptation is a continuation of the original movie in which he made his name back in 1992. Speaking to Bloody Disgusting while discussing his role in the new movieThe Changed, Todd was happy to say a little about the upcoming return of theCandyman.
Tony Toddoriginally played the character inCandymanalmost three decades ago, based on the short story “The Forbidden”, by Barker, which told the tale of an urban legend about the ghost of an artist and son of a slave who was murdered for his relationship with the daughter of a white man. The legend says that if his name is mentioned five times then he will appear. The movie was a hit and became classic horror of the era, making a star of Todd in the process. He reprised the role twice more in the sequelsCandyman: Farewell To The FleshandCandyman: Day of The Deadin 1995 and 1999 respectively.
Having already been moved numerous times due to the pandemic, Todd said that the current August release date is unlikely to change again. He said, “Yes, yeah. They don’t want to move it again. We moved that date two times, two hard dates, and there’s no way they’re going to move it again. I think they’re already running trailers in theaters now, so it’s going to get heavier as it gets closer. I can’t wait, it’s going to be great.”
“It’s acontinuation of the first film,” he went on to say about theCandyman reboot. “Nia DaCosta does a wonderful job directing, and Jordan Peele wrote it. It’s in good hands. You know, I was really thrilled to see thatA Quiet Placeopened strongly, $48 million or something. So that’s a good sign for us. If it’s successful, no one knows what’s going to happen. Maybe there will be more, and maybe that’ll be the end.” He added, “You know, after almost thirty years of carrying that character to conventions and interacting with fans, it’s nice to finally have a new chapter to discuss. And new Funkos! I finally get my own officialFunko.”
The new take on theCandymanstory was first announced in 2018, with Jordan Peele being brought in to direct the new sequel. In an interview at the time, Todd was quoted as saying, “I’d rather have Peele do it, someone with intelligence who’s going to be thoughtful anddig into the whole racial makeupof whoCandymanis and why he existed in the first place.”
For a short time, it was believed that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who plays Anthony McCoy and a hallucination of theCandyman, was signed on to take over the title role, a misreporting to the point that Todd actually congratulated him on Twitter for being given the role. However, it was later revealed that Todd would be theCandymanonce more, and just like any original actor returning to their best known roles, fans were more than happy to hear the news. These fans will have to be patient untilCandymanarrives in theaters on August 27.
