Candyman director Nia DaCosta has become the first Black woman to debut at number one on the US box office chart.
The reimagining and sequel to the 1992 horror flick earned $22.3million (£16million) in its opening weekend in US and Canadian cinemas. This figure far surpasses the film’s low-end projection of $15million.
Candyman’s success also means DaCosta has earned the second highest-grossing three-day domestic box office opening for a Black female director, behind Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle In Time which racked up $33.1million in March 2018.
BelowCandymanat the US box office wasFree Guystarring Ryan Reynolds, which continues to be a surprise hit after only dropping 27 percent in its third weekend.
DaCosta’sCandymanacts as a sequel to the original 1992 film, ignoring sequelsCandyman: Farewell To The Fleshin 1995 andCandyman: Day Of The Deadin 1999.
The revamp is co-written by DaCosta, Win Rosenfeld and Jordan Peele, who helmed 2017’sGet OutandUsstarring Lupita Nyong’o.
DaCosta will also make history as the first Black woman to direct aMarvel filmwithThe Marvels, set to be released next year.
