Nia DaCosta Makes History With the New ‘Candyman’
This weekend, Candyman director Nia DaCosta made history by becoming the first Black female director to debut a film in the No. 1 spot at the U.S. box office. Candyman, a sequel to the 1992 classic of the same name, made over $22 million the weekend after opening in theaters nationwide on Friday, August 27.
Along with this impressive feat, the movie also became the second-highest-grossing three-day opening for a Black female director, succeeding Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time. Prior to this weekend, DuVernay came the closest to nabbing this top spot in the domestic box office back in 2018.
‘Candyman’ grosses $22.3 million to become the first #1 film directed by a Black woman https://t.co/bPO4EM7z4r
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 29, 2021
The updated film plays off of the original storyline, placing the urban legend in modern Chicago. It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, known from HBO’s Watchmen, as an ambitious artist whose aspirations lead him to take one too many dangerous risks. The film was directed and co-written with both Win Rosenfeld, executive producer of BlacKkKlansman, and Jordan Peele, breakout director of Get Out. Alongside the release of the film was a “social impact initiative” campaign created to encourage conversations about issues like gentrification, one of the many things explored in the movie.
The overwhelming success of the film is even more impressive considering the current state of the box office. With the cinema industry taking a heavy hit through the pandemic, the achievements are even greater in times of theaters still reopening over the last year.
Remember how Nia [DaCosta] refused to release Candyman last year because she felt it should be experienced in the theater? She followed her gut, stuck by her convictions & now she’s the first Black woman to have a #1 at the box office.
— NEEN. (@jajaBEAN) August 31, 2021
Wild.
Following the success of Candyman, DaCosta only has bigger plans for the upcoming year. The filmmaker joined the Marvel cinematic universe last year and is working to bring The Marvels, sequel to Captain Marvel, to the silver screen. It’s yet another step toward making history as the release will make her the first female Black director of a Marvel movie.
DaCosta opened up to Entertainment Weekly to talk about her newest work, expressing how “it’s been nice to work in a different world for sure.” As of now, the film is set to be released in November of 2022, starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani.
Candyman can currently be seen in theaters, but if you haven’t seen the trailer yet, check it out above.
Content Writer | Journalist
