Tony Todd played the titular Candyman in the 1992 film
Horror movies can show the scariest things imaginable, but it might also be pretty horrific for the cast too.
When you’re watching something that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, you probably don’t spare a thought into what goes into the production – namely, the costumes and props.
The 2014 film, Edge of Tomorrow, had a number of people impressed by it’s practical effects, like actual explosions.
However, when you learn how dedicated some stars can be to their craft, it just impresses you more.
In the 1992 classic, Candyman, there was one thing that was surely going to sting – and actor Tony Todd, who recently passed away on November 6, knew that.
Candyman was based on Clive Barker’s short story, and is a supernatural slasher flick that has gained a cult following thanks to its popularity, which led to it having three successful sequels.
The film tells the story of graduate student Helen Lyle, who ventures into a Chicago housing project called Cabrini-Green to research an urban legend.
Obviously, things get spooky (because it’s a horror movie) and the student learns about the Candyman.
No, he doesn’t give out candy. He’s a hook-wielding individual that residents believe is responsible for a recent murder.
Well, a mysterious man begins stalking her and she begins to believe the figure may actually be real.
While we do not see the Candyman until around the 40 minute mark in the film, it’s truly nothing but horror after that.
There is one particular scene in the movie that has become infamous over the years, and it involves an awful lot of bees.
Candyman released in 1992 (TriStar)
A whopping 200,000 bees are used in the scene where a swarm of bees fall out of Candyman’s mouth as he leans down to kiss Helen.
Nowadays, you’d expect such a scene to be created using CGI, but in 1992, the famous scene was completed with practical effects.
Speaking in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2022, Todd, who plays Candyman said: “The bees were the worst nemesis. I had a great lawyer at the time and we got paid.”
Remarkably, the Final Destination star had a clause in his contract that earned him an estimated $1,000 per bee sting.
“So I didn’t mind it, I’m going like, ‘Bring it on!’ And it only totaled to 27 [stings],” he added.
With the bees in such proximity to his mouth, it could have been a lot worse for Todd if it was not for a certain object repurposed for the scene.
Those bees are real (TriStar)
“We had a dental dam so they couldn’t go further down [my mouth],” Todd revealed.
Virginia Madsen, who starred as Helen in the movie, added: “The bees had their own trailer! It doesn’t really make you feel confident when there’s a big net cage set up around our scene to protect the crew and an ambulance standing by.”
Furthermore, Madsen is also allergic to bees, making the scene even more complicated to film.
“That’s why they had the paramedics on the set, which didn’t make me feel very confident,” Madsen said, adding: “But the bees that were on me were baby bees so they can sting but they said they are less likely to.”
On Saturday (November 9), it was announced that Todd had died in Los Angeles following a long illness, with his wife confirming his passing to The Hollywood Reporter.
Featured Image Credit: TriStar Pictures
