Jordan Peele To Co-Write & Produce ‘Candyman’ Reboot With Nia DaCosta Hired To Direct

Back in September, we reported that Jordan Peele was rumored to produce a reboot of the horror film “Candyman.” And now, MGM and Peele have confirmed that they are definitely working on a new “Candyman” film, and there’s even a director and release date.

Deadline reports that Peele, along with co-writer Win Rosenfeld, will pen what is being dubbed a “spiritual successor” to the horror franchise. The film is still untitled, but we also know that filmmaker Nia DaCosta has been signed on to helm the reboot. DaCosta made her directorial debut earlier this year with the Tribeca-premiering film “Little Woods,” which stars Tessa Thompson.

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For those not familiar with the “Candyman” franchise, the films focused on the titular character, who is an artist and son of a slave that was brutally murdered. Now, he’s the subject of an urban legend and can be summoned by saying the name five times in the mirror. When doing so, the slasher comes to life and, with a hook for a hand, murders people. “Candyman” is based on the Clive Barker story “The Forbidden.” The film spawned two sequels.

“We cannot wait for the world to see what the mind-blowing combination of Jordan, Win and Nia bring to the legend of ‘Candyman,’” MGM Motion Picture Group president Jonathan Glickman said. “They have created a story that will not only pay reverence to Clive Barker’s haunting and brilliant source material but is also thoroughly modern and will bring in a whole new generation of fans.”

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Peele said, “The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre. Alongside ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ ‘Candyman’ was a major inspiration for me as filmmaker — and to have a bold new talent like Nia at the helm of this project is truly exciting. We are honored to bring the next chapter in the ‘Candyman’ canon to life and eager to provide new audiences with an entry point to Clive Barker’s legend.”

Casting has yet to begin on the new version of “Candyman,” but the film has a scheduled release date of June 12, 2020.