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Candyman reboot release has been delayed until 2021

Photo credit: Universal
Photo credit: Universal

From Digital Spy

Horror fans are going to have to wait a bit longer for the much-anticipated Candyman reboot – as director Nia DaCosta has confirmed that the movie's release date has been pushed back from October 2020 to an as-yet-unconfirmed date in 2021.

In a statement on Twitter on Saturday (September 12), DaCosta explained that the current closures across US cinemas due to the coronavirus crisis has meant that the "collective experience" that she intended Candyman to be is no longer possible.

"We made Candyman to be seen in theaters," Nia wrote. "Not just for the spectacle but because the film is about community and stories – how they shape each other, how they shape us.

Photo credit: Universal
Photo credit: Universal

Related: Candyman original star promises fans will love Yahya Abdul Mateen II's take

"It's about the collective experience of trauma and joy, suffering and triumph, and the stories we tell around it.

We wanted the horror and humanity of Candyman to be experienced in a collective, a community, so we're pushing Candyman to next year, to ensure that everyone can see the film, in theaters, and share in that experience."

Some fans have been supportive of DaCosta in the decision to delay the movie's release – tweeting that the wait will be "worth it" – with When They See Us director Ava DuVernay posting a GIF of a child taking off a hat with the word "respect" written on the front, in support of the decision.

However, others have voiced their frustration – calling for more COVID-friendly cinema experiences like drive-ins, so that these upcoming movies can be enjoyed sooner.

Meanwhile, Tony Todd, star of the original Candyman, has promised that fans are "gonna be proud to see the character and the story continue" in DaCosta's movie, which also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo and Vanessa E Williams.

Candyman is now set for release in 2021.


The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.


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