“The perceived transgression that created him was against white sexual purity,” I said, “so in order for the character to work, Candyman has to be sexually magnetic. I love Tony Todd, and I hope he shows up somehow, but he’s done his time playing the monster.” It would seem that the filmmakers agree with me: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II with his chiseled features and electric charisma is the perfect choice for the lead.