Virginia Madsen Reveals There Were Plans forCandymanPrequel as She Mourns Costar Tony Todd

Mar. 15, 2025

Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen in “Candyman” (1992).Photo:TriStar/Getty

TriStar/Getty

Virginia Madsen said aCandymanprequel was discussed prior tocostar Tony Todd’s death.

The pair shared the screen in director Bernard Rose’s 1992 film,Candyman, about a researcher uncovering the truth behind a scary urban legend in Chicago. In the first installment of the horror franchise, Todd played Daniel Robitaille, the vengeful spirit behind the Candyman legend, opposite Madsen as Helen Lyle.

“Thanks to Bernard Rose, we really created a gothic romance. It’s why the film lives on,” shewroteon Instagram on Saturday, Nov. 9 while honoring Todd. “A gentle soul with a deep knowledge of the arts. He enjoyed the fans and was never shy when it came to fans approaching, wanting photos. A rare actor who allowed himself to be open to the public attention.”

Madsen, 63, added, “I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while. But I will not summon him in the mirror!”

In her tribute, Madsen revealed there were discussions of possibly furthering their story in aCandymanprequel using de-aging technology. “What a gift that Jordon Peele let us live again as lovers. He talked about a prequel using technology so that we, ourselves could tell the tale of how their love began,” she wrote. “Imagine that. I do. My dear friend Tony, I do.”

Madsen and Todd reunited in 2022 for a joint interview to discussCandyman’s 30th anniversary withEntertainment Tonight. “I’m proud of the film,” Todd said at the time. “I’m glad to have been a part of it. It’s part of my legacy, and I’ve been working nonstop for 30 years. It’s a good thing.”

Tony Todd on Dec. 9, 2018.Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

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The pair also expressed frustration that some of their characters' romantic moments were cut from the original movie, including a dance sequence, which Todd said was removed because others “felt that it was too intimate at that point.”

Madsen recalled, “I think we both felt that was, like, the most beautiful thing we did, because the thing about Candyman is he’s a poet and a painter and an artist. He’s so romantic. Because of our chemistry, the more that became apparent, the less they wanted of it. And, yeah, it makes me mad.”

source: people.com