Horror crossovers are rare, but audiences nearly got an unlikely matchup between Candyman and the Leprechaun. When Freddy Vs. Jason mashed up the two slasher villains to box office success, the idea of merging horror franchises became lucrative to Hollywood executives. And it was from this environment that the concept of a Candyman vs. Leprechaun movie was developed. But a combination of disinterest from Tony Todd and the complicated ownership status of the Candyman property prevented the project from advancing.
Candyman vs. Leprechaun Was Doomed From the Start
The mere concept of the idea was what probably doomed a crossover between Candyman and the Leprechaun from the start. In a 2019 interview about his career, Todd discussed the Candyman franchise and the existence of the crossover. He noted that the idea was being considered based on Freddy Vs. Jason’s success and a pitch got sent out. However, he rejected it, having found it disrespectful and a disservice to the character and legacy of Candyman.
And even if Todd did agree to the idea of a crossover, there were potential legal factors that could have barred a Candyman vs.Leprechaun movie from being made. The Candyman franchise was in the middle of a legal dispute over ownership. At the time, Todd had pitched a Candyman 4 story involving a New England all-girls school, but the idea never took off. He noted that three different parties claimed to own the Candyman franchise and could not work out an agreement. It wasn’t until Jordan Peele agreed to produce a Candyman film that an agreement was reached, something Todd attributed to Peele’s newfound success with horror films.
What Became of Both Horror Franchises
With the idea of Candyman vs.Leprechaun considered a doomed endeavor, both properties would eventually move on from the rejected pitch. Candyman received a proper sequel in 2021 to positive reviews and box office response. Meanwhile, the Leprechaun franchise would reboot itself without lead actor Warwick Davis with Leprechaun Origins in 2014. Following a poor response, 2019’s Leprechaun Returns would feature a soft reboot approach that was better received. So, considering both franchises proved capable of finding success without a crossover, it’s probably for the best the project never happened.
But fans of Candyman and Leprechaun will still likely imagine what a crossover would have been like. However, considering Candyman’s legacy is that of socially conscious horror, it’s probably better suited to work with a franchise that fits the kind of impactful story it’s trying to tell. So, while Leprechaun may no longer be an option, that doesn’t mean Candyman can’t share the big screen with another horror figure.
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