Saturday, August 16, 2008

EXCL: Candyman Remake Buzz at Sony

Hear that? No, that's not the sound of bees. It's the buzz, buzz, buzzing of another remake. And this time it's Bernard Rose's Clive Barker adaptation Candyman.

Shock learned today Sony and the rights holder to the film franchise - which has spanned three installments - are mulling over plans to resurrect the hook-handed, pimp coat wearin' urban legend made famous by Tony Todd. It's all "early talks" (I was told one idea was to make the titular killer a Caucasian fella) with no writer or director attached at this time.

Candyman's screen life - based on Barker's short story The Forbidden - began in '92 at Sony. He bounced from MGM then to Artisan for the sequels Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead, respectively. The third chapter was released in '99.

The original film starred Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley and Kasi Lemmons.

Some can balk that it's too soon (or downright unnecessary) for a remake, but for Sony, it makes sense given the spate of remakes over the last five years dredging up revamped cinematic massacres featuring everyone from Leatherface, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees to even Harry Warden. Candyman represents one established horror icon they have in their vaults they could potentially bank on (Richard Fenton from Prom Night is going to cut it).

You almost knew it was coming. A Candyman remake was inevitable. The gears are in motion and we'll keep you updated as we hear more.

No comments:

Post a Comment