Jordan Peele and Nia DaCosta's Candyman continues the story of the Candyman myth, but does Tony Todd return in the film, too? The 2021 version of Candyman follows Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a rising artist who becomes inspired to create paintings based on the Candyman stories of old. What starts as a creative interest in these tales develops into an obsession, as Anthony's life and the lives of those around him succumb to the supernatural.
Although the 1992 version of Candyman wasn't a massive hit when it was released, the film developed a legacy as one of the great horror films of its time. The movie was praised for several different reasons, ranging from its social and racial commentary to the gore. One of the highlights of the original Candyman is Tony Todd's performance as Daniel Robitaille aka Candyman. His presence, menace, and commanding charisma all helped make this one of Todd's defining roles throughout a great career. When it came time for Peele and DaCosta to bring the series back, whether or not he would appear became one of the film's biggest questions.
Now that 2021's Candyman has been released, it is finally officially confirmed that Tony Todd is in the movie. Those hoping for a major role from Tony Todd's Candyman will be disappointed, though, as the horror icon only returns at the very end. Following Anthony's transformation at the end of Candyman, his figure changes after bees surround his face. Once the bees disperse, Tony Todd's face is shown, and it is de-aged to make him look like he did in 1992's Candyman. His appearance ends with Todd's version of Candyman telling Brianna (Teyonha Parris) to "tell everyone" about his return.
The late reveal of Tony Todd's Candyman is something the movie builds throughout the brisk 91-minute runtime. Candyman primarily follows Anthony's story and reveals that he is the adult version of the kid Robitaille kidnapped and tried to kill in the original film. The movie makes Anthony's transformation part of his destiny and not a chance encounter. The face swap from Anthony to Robitaille is used to remind viewers that he is the original Candyman and further illustrate how different men and faces have been associated with the Candyman name throughout history.
Tony Todd's return in 2021's Candyman is ultimately a small role, though, which could leave some viewers wanting more from Robitaille. There is the chance that Candyman 2 movie could be made and continue Peele and DaCosta's story. This would potentially allow Todd to play the myth once more but possibly in a much larger capacity. Whether or not that ever happens remains to be seen, but at least his original Candyman wasn't saved completely for a possible follow-up film that may or may not come. Either way, horror fans should be pleased to see Tony Todd in Candyman, along with the film's various other connections to the 1992 original.