In the 1992 the original Candyman became nightmare fuel for a generation of movie goers.
The dark tale of a supernatural hook-handed killer, summoned by those foolish enough to say his name five times into a mirror, made the career of actor Tony Todd and is now considered a classic of the genre.
Next week a highly anticipated sequel is set to hit screens in the UK, produced by Oscar winning maestro Jordan Peele and directed by rising star film-maker Nia DaCosta.
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Both movies are set in Cabrini Green, in inner city Chicago, but what is not widely known about the franchise is its roots in Liverpool as part of a short story penned by legend of horror fiction Clive Barker.
Barker was born in the city and attended Dovedale Primary School and Quarry Bank High School before studying English and Philosophy at the University of Liverpool.
His fascination with the macabre led to a stellar career involving a number of his works being adapted for the silver screen - including Hellraiser which he directed himself.
It was from Barker's dark imagination that the Candyman emerged - however the killer's original hunting ground was not the projects of inner city Chicago, but a fictional housing estate in Liverpool.
The Forbidden was a short story in Volume 5 of Barker's Books of Blood anthology, centred on Helen, a University graduate photographing graffiti in the severely deprived Spector Street estate.
After an encounter with a local woman called Anne-Marie, Helen becomes fascinated by rumours of grisly killings, but is initially unsure of what is true and what is just an urban myth.
That soon becomes clear after a terrifying encounter with the eloquent but murderous Candyman.
In Barker's version, the Candyman ghoul does not have an origin story, and the now famous mirror summoning scenes from the film do not feature.
But the swarm of bees emanating from his body and the razor sharp hook in place of a hand are inventions of Barker.
The 1992 film came about after a chance meeting between Barker and fellow British film-maker Bernard Rose, who expressed interest in The Forbidden.
Rose acquired the rights but decided to set his movie in Chicago, in a neighbourhood so dangerous the producers reportedly had to come to a financial arrangement with local gang leaders to ensure their safety during filming.
After lengthy production delays due to the covid pandemic, the 2021 film returns to Cabrini Green, now gentrified beyond recognition, and centres around up-and-coming photographer Anthony McCoy, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The film will also see the return of Tony Todd, reprising his role as the iconic villain.
Anthony moves into a luxurious apartment in Cabrini Green with his girlfriend Brianna Cartwright.
Struggling for inspiration for his art, he begins researching an urban legend surrounding his new neighbourhood - unwittingly stumbling into a nightmare.
Candyman is set for release in UK cinemas on August 27.
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