'If Beale Street Could Talk' Actress Teyonah Parris Reportedly in Talks to Star in 'Candyman'

If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris is reportedly in negotiations to co-star in the Jordan Peele-produced Candyman revival, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Parris will appear alongside Yahya Abdul-Mateen, who appeared as a villain on DC's box office hit Aquaman. Nia DaCosta—who drew attention with last year's Tessa Thompson-starring thriller, Little Woods—has been tapped to direct the film. Parris' resumé includes playing Mad Men's first black employee, as well as starring in the film version of Dear White People and Spike Lee's Chi-Raq. Her most recent movie appearance is in Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk.

This version is described by Peele as a "spiritual sequel" to the original 1992 cult classic. The new Candyman will also take place in Chicago, but instead focuses a now-gentrified neighborhood that was once the site of the infamous Cabrini-Green Homes, where the first film was set. If the deals are confirmed, Abdul-Mateen will play an artist consumed by the Candyman urban legend while Parris will play his art dealer girlfriend.

Candyman will reportedly start production by early summer.