After the Coronavirus delayed filming and pushed the 2020 “spiritual sequel” back, horror fans the world over were left disappointed. However, the tri-force production team (consisting of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor (MGM); Universal Pictures and Get Out producers, Monkey Paw Productions) have recently revealed a release date of August 2021 (USA).
Fans who remember (or have seen) the first movie will know the original took place on the run-down Cabrini-Green housing estate, located in the Northern Quarter of Chicago. The Candyman (2021), revisits the area and opens up its doors to a clear theme of gentrification. Gone are the dissipated houses of 1992, making way for trendy hipster cafes, wine bars, and more-than-likely, a vegan restaurant.
What we Know of The Candyman (2021)’s Story
Despite fans speculating that The Candyman (2021) was going to be a remake of the 1992 iconic cult-horror, this is not going to be the case. Instead, the movie will follow struggling artist, Anthony McCoy (the baby from the 1992 movie) as he moves into the newly chic town. When fate sees him meeting an old resident, he learns of the town’s dark past. Struggling for inspiration, he delves deeper into the urban myth before saying the infamous incantation “Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman” into a mirror. What follows is the summoning of a long-sleeping Candyman and the inevitable carnage as he seeks out his old adversaries.
The trailer does show Anthony looking into a mirror to see the Candyman staring back. I can’t help but wonder if this means that the protagonist actually becomes The Candyman himself. This would follow a path of logic, as the mirror-and-shadow-dwelling killer will need a puppet to do his revenge-fueled bidding (I have never actually been in a mirror but I’m guessing that it would be hard to do much as a reflection).
Old Faces will Return in The Candyman (2021)
Vanessa E Williams portrayed the character of Anne McAvoy in the original 1992 movie. Her character fell victim to our hook-handed friend when he took her infant son away from her. However – SPOILER ALERT -, Anne was the leading character in the initial installment and died at the end of the movie. Nevertheless, she is set to return to the sequel to Clive Barker’s masterpiece. Short of a time-travelling device or some drastic, ground-breaking surgery, I don’t see a way she can come back as anything but a “Candywoman”. Fans will remember this is how she appeared at the end of the 1992 opening movie – Spoiler end -. It’s also looking like the lead character will be the kidnapped baby (obviously as a grown adult).
It would be interesting to see a female Candyman leading the onslaught, but I still strongly feel that we will see a symbiosis of man and demon. Another theory on the grapevine it is that Williams’ appearances may be in the guise of flashbacks; giving us further insight into the origins of Candyman as we visit the past and discover previously untold information. Regardless, only time will tell.
Conclusion
As a huge fan of the original film, I was elated when I heard of a fresh, new story surrounding the fictional urban myth. Despite the regular shifting of a release date, I remain more than eager to feast my eyes yet again on the bumble-bee-loving villain. It’s also great to see Anne McAvoy making a return. Nonetheless, the producers need to incorporate her into the story in a way that wouldn’t destroy the iconic horror franchise. All eyes are on rising star, Yahya Abdul-Matten II’s (Aquaman, Watchmen and The Handmaid’s Tale) as he leads the cast in what could be the greatest horror film of 2021.
The Candyman will be appearing on our screens in August of this year.
