“It was always you, Helen. It was always you.”

One of the best horror films of the ’90s was Bernard Rose’s Candyman, which forever turned Tony Todd, and his titular hook-handed character, into true icons of the horror genre. The 1992 film was followed up with sequels in the form of Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead, but neither film made enough of a splash to justify the franchise continuing beyond its third installment. Rumors of a fourth movie or perhaps even a remake have been making the rounds for years now, though all has been silent for quite some time.

But if Bernard Rose has his way, the Candyman will soon return.

In an extensive, must-read interview with Art of the Title about Candyman‘s opening credits sequence, Rose was just asked if he’d ever wish to return to the franchise, and he indicated that he’d love to make a direct sequel to the 1992 original film. That movie ended with Helen Lyle becoming a folkloric monster herself; a plotline not followed up in either of the two sequels.

Said Rose:

I would love to do the proper sequel. There are all sorts of reasons why it’s never happened. I think it would be great, but of course unfortunately I don’t control the rights, otherwise I would just do it.

Rose also noted that he’d love for Virginia Madsen to come back and play the role of Helen one more time, and he urged readers of the site to “talk it up” and help make it happen. As is always the case in these situations, the ball is totally in the court of the franchise rights holders, but Rose’s strong interest is certainly nice to see.

Let’s make it happen!