Is there a new Tony Todd on the streets? If a new report proves to be true, we may now know the potential star of the upcoming Candyman reboot.

According to Collider, Lakeith Stanfield is in talks to portray the protagonist in the film, which is a “spiritual sequel” to the original film.

However, if you think that Stanfield would play Tony Todd, don’t assume so quickly. Another report referenced by Collider that is from SuperBroMovies says Stanfield would portray Anthony, “who is being described as a socially pronounced artist in Chicago who researches the urban legend of Candyman. After investigating the killer’s last known whereabouts, strange killings begin to occur around Anthony. The protagonist will serve a role similar to that of Helen Lyle, the main character of the original movie.”

The MGM-set film will release in theaters on June 12, 2020. It will be set in “the now-gentrified section of Chicago where the Cabrini-Green housing projects once stood. Nia DaCosta, who had her feature debut this year with Little Woods starring Tessa Thompson and Lily James, will helm the film. Little Woods debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival this year and will be released next year by NEON. Peele is producing through his Monkeypaw Productions and is also co-writing.

The original 1992 Bernard Rose-directed film was based on a short story by Clive Barker and starred Tony Todd as the Candyman, the son of a slave who became an artist and inventor who was mutilated and killed by his lover’s father using bees. The urban legend, as the film states, is that if you say his name five times in a mirror, he’ll appear and kill the person with the hook that replaces his severed hand.

The film became a success after its release, grossing $25 million with approval from many critics. It has since lived on as a cult horror classic.

 

READ MORE:

Jordan Peele-Produced ‘Candyman’ Sequel Taps Nia DaCosta As Director, Sets Release Date