New ‘Candyman’ movie adds Chicago actors to its cast

Christiana Clark in “The Winter’s Tale” earlier this year at the Goodman Theatre. | Liz Lauren

Several accomplished local actors, and two veteran news broadcasters, have signed on the the new “Candyman” movie now shooting in Chicago.

Rebecca Spence, seen in recent years in Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s “How the World Began” and Steppenwolf’s “Mary Page Marlowe,” and Christiana Clark (“The Winter’s Tale” at the Goodman) are among the cast, along with past and present Chicagoans Brian King, Kyle Kaminsky, Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Cedric Mays.

Rebecca Spence in “Mary Page Marlowe” at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2016.

Playing TV reporters in the film will be WFLD-Channel 32 alum Nancy Pender and WGN-AM (720) host Pam Jones.

Chicago actor turned TV star turned horror director Jordan Peele (“Get Out,” “Us”) co-wrote (with Win Rosenfeld) the new “Candyman,” billed as less a remake than a “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 horror classic, also shot in Chicago.

As previously announced, it stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and Colman Domingo. Director Nia DaCosta (“Little Woods”) is filming in various Chicago neighborhoods including the former site of Cabrini-Green, the public housing complex where much of the original “Candyman” took place.

Release is planned for June 12, 2020.