The opening sequence of Candyman (2021) introduces the first new Candyman iteration, taking place back in 1977 when a Cabrini-Green resident named Sherman Fields was wrongly murdered by police. Fields had been known around the neighborhood as “The Candyman” because he carried candies that he gave to children, though the police and many in the larger community believed him to be responsible for razor blades found in wrapped candies, which led to a manhunt for Fields after a white girl found a razor in one her candies. Young William Burke saw Fields in the wall of the Cabrini-Green laundromat, screaming when he appeared but realizing he actually meant no harm too late, as the scream still alerted the white policemen outside. The police swarmed the laundromat and beat the next Candyman Sherman Fields to death, whereafter he was retroactively exonerated for the razor-blade crimes when they were still appearing in children’s candy after he was killed. Thereafter, Fields became the next iteration of the legendary Candyman, being the physical embodiment seen in mirrors and killing those who call his name five times.

Thanks to Calendar Man for the body