“They were the worst enemies”: 200,000 bees were required for one of the most risky scenes of this terrible thriller in the 90’s

The use of insect fears has always been a classic terrible genre, but several insect scenes have pointed out as many collective imagination as Tony Todds’ bees, which in the 1992 horror film, Candyman signed Bernard Rose.

This cult film is full of amazing pictures, but the scene where Candyman approaches Helen (Virginia Madsen), the bees that lips around the lips have become one of the most emblematic of horror cinema. This scene is already quite disturbing, but the fact that the filmmakers refused to use special effects are even more terrible: they really filled the person Tony Todd Live bees …

During the movie, as remembered ColliderWhen Helen nominates a candidate, the latter reveals his bloody and open breasts full of bees that begin to invade Helen, and other bees come out of the candyman’s mouth.

If hundreds of bees around the actors seem to be a great time for the use of special effects, creators Candyman For this legendary effect, they preferred the use of 200,000 live bees. In an exclusive interview Entertainment tonight In 2022, Tony Todd Sister Virginia Madsen It turned out that if the team was protected by security nets, two actors were completely vulnerable from insects during the shooting.

Fortunately, the filmmakers realized that the presence of bees in the mouth was already uncomfortable, but it was worse in the throat and, consequently, took the necessary measures: “We had a mouth of the mouth“Explained Todd.

Deadly allergies just to exit it

And make it even more dangerous to make things up, Virginia Madsen Seriously allergic to bees: Fortunately, it was not hidden during the shooting, but the paramedics were ready if it had an anaphylactic reaction – which was not sure of the main stakeholder.

“” “That is why it was a paramedic paramedica that did not convince me“, He admitted.

Although insects were mostly young bees, so they are less aggressive, they are clearly fast using a special vacuum cleaner, a process that can last up to half an hour.

“” “But the bees that were on me“Explain Madsen.”The bees had their own caravan! This is not really sure when you set up a great sacred cage on stage to protect the team and wait for an ambulance.»

“” “Then you have to sit for 20-25 minutes before you rushed to them“Added the actress while Tony Todd Said: “This is where they become aggressive.»

If the shoot went well Virginia MadsenHis partner did not disassemble and Todd was almost 30 times.

Turn on the scene below:

Financial remuneration with a bee stinging

“” “The bees were our worst enemy“Todd said before Madden asked:”How many bites did you get?»

“” “I had a wonderful lawyer at that time and paid“He explained.

Indeed, the actor had a good representative who, before shooting the famous scene, negotiated $ 1000. So the actress was ready for a painful day, but potentially very profitable.

“” “So I didn’t worry“He added.”I said to myself, ‘Let’s go!’ “And in total, I had 27 bites.»

Who says 27 bites say an additional $ 27,000, except for the film. Finally, the result was worth it: “You know that the actors trained to be courageous, so it was a bold moment and he resisted the time test“, Concluded Tony Todd.

A memorable result

This dangerous shooting was successful, both for him and for production, offering the public one of the most memorable moments in the history of horror cinema.

Another thing that resisted the test of time: the film’s cultural and racial message. “” “It was really worth it, not only for money, but also to be one of the first African American actors in a horror movie that does not push us“Said Tony ToddHe died in 2024. ”When I first read the script, I was looking for any trap. I wanted to be convinced that if I was going to play an important role in the horror movie, the script was over, that it would tell us to the end, and that is what I found in this scenario.»

With its unforgettable pictures and the study of complex topics, Candyman For more than 30 years after its release, the classic remains that inspires many luxury and remake. If history develops in its time, approaching things such as gentrification and police brutality, the bees remain a central element, recalling the injury by Daniel Robitail, Aliya’s Kandiman, who has had one of the most terrible and difficult despair of horror cinema.

Candyman should be discussed in Vod.