You're probably wondering who Nia DaCosta is and why she has become so relevant in the film industry lately. This 31-year-old filmmaker will debut on August 27 her new movie based on the urban legend from 1992, Candyman, and next year the sequel of Captain Marvel, The Marvels. Keep reading to learn about the 6 things you didn't know about Nia.

A New York Native
Nia was born and raised in New York, specifically in Harlem. When she was younger, she aspired to become a poet, but soon she realized that she had to change her plan to make a living. It was when she saw 'Network', when she fell in love with the beauty and magic of filmmaking, thus taking interest in an industry that would change her life forever.

Nia was selected at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival
Nia finally got her big break in 2015 when her script for Little Woods got selected as one of 12 projects chosen to participate in the Sundance Film Festival Lab. Writers who participated had the opportunity to work with creative mentors like the established writer, Scott Frank.

Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park Impacts Nia
Even though Nia had been a horror genre fan since she was young, her most notable memory came from watching Universal Pictures', Jurassic Park, when she was only 3 or 4 years-old. Nia was so scared of the dinosaurs in the movie she had to be taken outside of the theater by her father because she couldn't stop crying. Now, Jurassic Park is one of Nia's favorite movies.

Nia worked with Jordan Peele on Candyman
Nia and Oscar winning filmmaker Jordan Peele unite to bring audiences the newest installment of Candyman, the story of a horrifying urban legend premiering August 27. Nia confessed that when she is working on a film, she aims to get audiences to relate to her characters and to herself. So, prepare yourselves for the story of a visual artist named Anthony McCoy who moves to Cabrini Green in Chicago, a small neighborhood already familiar with the legend of Candyman. Anthony begins to explore the horrifying details of the legend as inspiration for his art, and unintentionally opens the door to something that will bring unimaginable violence back to the quiet neighborhood and show him his destiny.

Will direct the Captain Marvel sequel 
Nia is set to direct the new film in the Marvel universe, The Marvels, starring Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) and Teyonah Parris (Wanda Vision & Candyman). The sequel to Captain Marvel is set to premiere November 11, 2022.

Inspiration in the Form of Art, Music and Novels 
Nia has always been influenced by distinct elements during her creative process. She is most influenced by paintings, music, and notorious novels written by authors like Virginia Woolf and Jane Austen. She confessed that most of her inspiration when she was younger came from gothic writers because they have a sense of place and the ability to create unimaginable characters.

Candyman opens in theaters on August 27.