‘Candyman’ Director Nia DaCosta Revealed Why the Film Is Delayed Until 2021
The theatrical release of Candyman has been delayed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it looks like the slasher flick will ultimately land in cinemas in 2021. The movie’s director, Nia DaCosta, let fans in on the reasons behind the decision.
‘Candyman’ will not just opt for a digital release
The buzz was remarkable leading up to Candyman’s debut, which was originally scheduled for June 12. The movie was primed to become a bona fide summer blockbuster, but the pandemic struck and derailed those plans, prompting the studio to shift to a September release date. Again, due to the circumstances, the film was pushed, this time to October. Now, it looks like Candyman has been delayed until 2021.
The entire film production industry screeched to a halt in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. What’s more, most cinema houses shut their doors to the public, at least temporarily. With that in mind, many studios have changed their movie release strategies to earn some revenue during this unprecedented time. Rather than choosing in-person theater venues, some companies are opting for digital-only or hybrid premieres. But based on what DaCosta tweeted, Candyman will do no such thing.
Nia DaCosta said the film will drop in 2021 to preserve ‘the collective experience’
The Hollywood Reporter published a tweet from DaCosta that explained why Candyman‘s creative team decided to wait for the opportune time for an in-theater release rather than opting for a digital debut. The tweet read, “We made Candyman to be seen in theaters. Not just for the spectacle but because the film is about community and stories — how they shape each other, how they shape us. It’s about the collective experience of trauma and joy, suffering and triumph, and the stories we tell around it.”
DaCosta continued, “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.” At the time of writing, DaCosta’s Twitter account had been deactivated.
The original ‘Candyman’ is available On Demand
The latest Candyman installment has been called Jordan Peele’s spiritual sequel to the original 1992 film. Peele serves as one of the producers on the project, plus he co-wrote the script with DaCosta and Win Rosenfeld.
Like the original, the 2021 flick will take place in Chicago near the now-demolished Cabrini-Green housing projects, Candyman’s old stomping grounds. The new film will also welcome back some familiar faces from the franchise, including Tony Todd, who originated the Candyman character, and Vanessa Williams as the wary voice of reason, Anne-Marie McCoy.
Film buffs who want to relive the horror of the first Candyman are in luck. The movie is available to rent or purchase on streaming platforms, including iTunes and VUDU.
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