Candyman Trivia | 60 facts about the horror film

“Candyman” is a new supernatural slasher film by Nia DaCosta and written by her, Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld.

The film factions as a sequel to the 1992 film of the same name. So let’s find out some trivia and facts about this new movie.

1. Candyman is a 2021 American supernatural slasher film
2. It is directed by Nia DaCosta
3. The film is written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and DaCosta
4. The film is a direct sequel to the 1992 film of the same name
5. It is the fourth film in the Candyman film series
6. The film series was based on the short story “The Forbidden” by Clive Barker
7. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and Colman Domingo
8. Vanessa Williams, Tony Todd, and Virginia Madsen also briefly reprise their roles from the original film
9. Plans for another Candyman film initially began in the early 2000s
10. With original film director Bernard Rose wanting to make a prequel film about Candyman and Helen’s love
11. However, the studio turned it down and the project entered development hell
12. By 2018, Peele signed on as producer for a new film using his company, Monkeypaw Productions
13. Later, in November that same year, it was confirmed that Peele would produce the film with Universal Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
14. Peele partnered with Rosenfeld to co-produce the film while DaCosta signed on as director
15. Principal photography for the film began in August 2019
16. The film wrapped in September 2019 in Chicago, Illinois
17. Candyman was theatrically released in the United States on August 27, 2021, by Universal Pictures
18. Its release date was delayed three times from an original June 2020 date due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
19. The film received positive reviews from critics
20. Critics praised DaCosta’s direction and the blend of social commentary with horror
21. In response to the success of Freddy vs. Jason, a crossover film with Leprechaun, titled Candyman vs. Leprechaun, entered development
22. Tony Todd rejected the idea after being presented the script, saying “I will never be involved in something like that”
23. In 2004, Todd confirmed to Fangoria that a fourth film was moving forward with Clive Barker’s involvement and a $25 million budget
24. By 2009, Deon Taylor was attached to direct the film, which would have been set in New England during the winter at an all-women’s college, and would ignore the events of Candyman: Day of the Dead
25. The film eventually fell apart due to disputes amongst the rights owners
26. In September 2018, it was announced that Jordan Peele was in talks to produce a sequel of the 1992 film through his Monkeypaw Productions
27. In a 2018 interview with Nightmare on Film Street, Todd stated, “I’d rather have him do it, someone with intelligence who’s going to be thoughtful and dig into the whole racial makeup of who the Candyman is and why he existed in the first place”
28. In November 2018, it was confirmed that Peele and Win Rosenfeld would produce the film with Universal and MGM, while Nia DaCosta signed on as director
29. The film would be a sequel to the original
30. Taking place back in the new gentrified Cabrini Green where the old housing projects development once stood in Chicago
31. MGM’s Jonathan Glickman stated that “the story will not only pay reverence to Clive Barker’s haunting and brilliant source material” but “will bring in a new generation of fans”
32. The filming was due to commence in early 2019
33. In January 2019, it was reported that Lakeith Stanfield was being eyed to star in the film as Anthony McCoy, a character who was protrayed as a baby in the original film by Lanesha Martin
34. At the time, there was no word as to whether Todd or any of past cast would reprise their roles
35. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Todd spoke about Peele, stating: “I know that he’s a fan. I’m hoping that I will appear in the film in some form of fashion. Wouldn’t that make sense? But, it’s Hollywood so I won’t take it personally if it doesn’t work out”
36. He added, “If this new one is successful, it will shed light back on the original. I think that the subject matter is more important than any individuals and I mean that”
37. In February 2019, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was in talks to play McCoy, misreported as being in talks to portray the titular character
38. In response to the news, Todd offered his blessings over Twitter, stating: “Cheers to the Candyman, a wonderful character that I lived with for 25 years. He’s brought grace and glory and a beautiful boatload of friends & family. I’m honored that the spirit of Daniel Robitaille & Cabrini Green rises again. Truth to power! Blessings to the cast & crew”
39. However, it was ultimately announced that Todd would reprise his role and that Abdul-Mateen II would instead be portraying Anthony McCoy
40. In March, Teyonah Parris was cast as Brianna Cartwright
41. Principal photography for Candyman took place between August and September 2019 in the Chicago area under the working title Say My Name
42. Some filming took place in the North Park neighborhood during the month of September
43. Director DaCosta said the Near North Side’s Marina City apartment buildings/condos were her favorite filming location in the city
44. Several scenes were filmed in the last standing remains of Cabrini–Green Homes’ fenced-off row houses from 1942
45. Candyman is the first feature film to shoot on location inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
46. Like the originally-planned 2004 film, the project had a $25 million production budget
47. The film features puppetry animation sequences which were created by Manual Cinema
48. In the United States and Canada, Candyman was projected to gross around $15 million from 3,569 theaters in its opening weekend
49. However, after making $9.1 million on its first day, including $1.9 million from Thursday night previews, estimates were increased to $20 million
50. It made $6.8 million on its second day
51. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 85% rating
52. Based on 217 critics
53. With an average rating of 7.3/10
54. The website’s critics consensus reads: “Candyman takes an incisive, visually thrilling approach to deepening the franchise’s mythology—and terrifying audiences along the way”
55. On Metacritic, another aggregator, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100
56. Based on 46 critics
57. Indicating “generally favorable reviews”
58. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of “B” on an A+ to F scale
59. While PostTrak reported 72% of audience members gave it a positive score
60. With 56% saying they would definitely recommend it