Jordan Peele Casts His New ‘Candyman’

Jordan Peele has been busy lately. Hot on the successful heels of Get Out, US, and the new Twilight Zone, the Academy Award winning writer/director is bringing a 1990’s horror icon back to the big screen. Peele’s Candyman is currently in pre-production and slated for a 2020 release. The studio is describing it as a “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 original. Until now there has been much speculation about who would star in the title role. Would Tony Todd return? Would they cast a new actor? Well, we finally have our answer, thanks to a recent Variety reveal.

So who is it? Read on for all the details!

Candyman Returns…

In Jordan Peele’s Candyman, the fearsome tortured soul returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where his legend began. So who did they find to fill Tony Todd’s big shoes? None other than rising star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The menacing Aquaman villain will pick up where Todd left off and Chicagoans should be very, very afraid!

What else do we know?

Production starts this Spring. Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld are writing the screenplay. Little Woods director Nia DaCosta will direct. Teyonah Parris will star alongside Abdul-Mateen II. MGM, Universal, and Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions are teaming up to produce and distribute the film.

Awesome news!

Final Thoughts

This is great! Peele is really on a roll, and I couldn’t be more excited about this casting. Of course you know I love Tony Todd, but I gotta say that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was one bad mofo in Aquaman. I think the character is in good hands.

Tony Todd, for his part, agrees. He has given the new film and actor choice his blessing on Twitter and in recent interviews. He even hopes to appear in the new film in some capacity. I sure hope that happens!

What do you think, horror fam? Are you looking forward to Jordan Peele’s Candyman? Do you approve of this new casting? Tell us in the comments!