Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in talks to star in the title role of the upcoming “Candyman” sequel from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions.
The retelling of the film is described as a “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 original, which was adapted from “The Forbidden,” Clive Barker’s short story.f “Candyman” returns to the now-gentrified section of Chicago where the Cabrini-Green Homes once stood
“Candyman” will be directed by Nia DaCosta (“Little Woods”), with Peele and Win Rosenfeld penning the screenplay. Production is set to begin in the spring.
Abdul-Mateen’s breakout role came in Baz Luhrmann’ 2016 Netflix series “The Get Down.” He’s since had roles in “Baywatch” and “The Greatest Showman,” and most recently, he starred opposite Jason Momoa in “Aquaman.”
Abdul-Mateen will also appear in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” directorial follow-up, “Us.”
“Candyman” is being produced in partnership with Monkeypaw and MGM, and will be distributed by Universal Pictures with a June 12, 2020 release date.
“The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre,” Peele has said of the film. “Alongside ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ ‘Candyman’ was a major inspiration for me as a 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.”
Ian Cooper will produce for Monkeypaw, while Adam Rosenberg, MGM’s co-president of production and Tabitha Shick, MGM’s vice president of production, will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Abdul-Mateen is repped by Gersh and Anonymous Content.