Writing on the wall, whispers in the classroom say Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is the new Candyman

By Randall Colburn | February 26, 2019 | 6:44pm

Aux Features Film

Nia DaCosta’s new spin on 1992's Candyman may have just found its ephemeral slasher. Variety reports that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who in addition playing Aquaman’s Black Manta will appear in Jordan Peele’s Us and HBO’s Watchmen series, is in talks to play the role originated by Tony Todd.

Peele is producing MGM’s Chicago-set “spiritual sequel.” The Cabrini-Green housing projects that set the stage for the original are gone, however, having been demolished as the neighborhood itself gentrifies. We’re just going to assume that a few gastropubs won’t be enough to keep a centuries-old ghost down.