The following article contains discussions of racially motivated violence and police brutality.
The 2021 reboot of the classic horror movie Candyman was smartly written, carefully directed, and powerfully acted, including a memorable ing turn by Rodney L. Jones III. Acting as a direct sequel to the original 1992 movie, 2021’s Candyman revolves around an artist whose latest piece, inspired by the eponymous urban legend, ends up reawakening some sinister spirits. The reboot was produced by Jordan Peele, after he revitalized the social thriller genre with his debut feature Get Out, and directed by The Marvels’ Nia DaCosta. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris star as the couple who unwittingly contend with the ghosts of Candymen past.
The ing cast of the Candyman reboot features such terrific actors as Vanessa Williams, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and Tony Todd reprising his iconic role as the original Candyman. Virginia Madsen also appears in her role from the original movie – Helen Lyle, the first to reawaken the Candyman – but unlike Todd, she didn’t shoot any new footage; she only appears archivally. 2021’s Candyman also has a notable ing turn by Rodney L. Jones III, who establishes the tone, narrative, and message of the movie with his appearance in the film’s opening scene.
Rodney L. Jones III Played Young Billy Burke In Candyman
Jones appears in the 1977-set opening scene of the Candyman reboot as William “Billy” Burke, a young boy who lives in the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago. Billy witnesses the murder of Sherman Fields, a Black man who is unhoused and has a hook for a hand. Sherman is suspected of giving a piece of candy with a razor blade in it to a white child. Although he’s later proven innocent, Sherman is beaten to death by police officers. This opening scene encapsulates the social commentary carried by the film.
The Candyman reboot expanded the mythology to include a long line of Candymen in addition to Daniel Robitaille from the original film. Like Robitaille and Sherman Fields, all of these Candymen are Black men who were killed in an act of racially charged violence. In the opening sequence, Billy plays a crucial role as the audience surrogate who stumbles upon the horrifying scene of Sherman’s murder. Jones captures the look of true terror on Billy’s face as he helplessly watches the killing. His knowledge of Sherman’s death plays a significant part later in the plot, too.
The Older Billy Is Played By Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo, best known as Ali from Euphoria and Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead, plays the older version of William who, in the present day, owns and operates a laundromat. William introduces artist Anthony McCoy to the Candyman legend, which inspires the art piece that brings the Candyman back. Domingo’s typically powerful performance conveys all the trauma that Billy has been living with since he witnessed the shocking events of the Candyman reboot’s opening scene. Despite having a relatively small ing role, Domingo and Rodney L. Jones III’s work combined to make Billy a complex, well-rounded character.
