Highly anticipated since word of Jordan Peele producing this updated take on 1992's Candyman was revealed back in 2018, fans of the cult classic have been waiting to catch a glimpse of what director Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) had in store. Today, Universal has unleashed the trailer, and consider all of the hype warranted.
Feeling more like a return to the franchise (which spawned three films in total) than any kind of reboot or remix) we're transported to the Chicago of today—the place of the old Cabrini Green (which was the setting of the original film) and lore about the mysterious Candyman are still intact.
During a special presentation of the trailer for the press, Peele shared it was DaCosta's "geeking out" about the original film that made her "uniquely suited to direct this film." Her take seems perfect, blending the gentrification of that era in Chicago with the horror and gore that played a huge part in the film that put Tony Todd on the horror map.
Watchmen's own Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Anthony McCoy, who has an interest in the Candyman urban legend that results in something even more frightening than waiting for a boogeyman to appear in a mirror after saying his name three times. They made good on their promise of this not being a "parody" film (although anyone who thought Peele would've let that happen is insane). The trailer throws in a classic Destiny's Child anthem ("Say My Name") alongside loads of the ultraviolence and some cool callbacks—while DaCosta was mum on a question regarding Tony Todd being in the film, it was dope to see Vanessa Williams return. It's interesting to note that in the first film, she played Anne-Marie McCoy, and there was an Anthony McCoy in the first film, although he would've been a little boy...
In any case, check out the full trailer for Candyman up above before it hits theaters this June.
