In the Ryan Reynolds John Candy Documentary, the Toronto International Film Festival hosts the world premiere of a film that pays homage to John Candy, with Ryan Reynolds among its executive producers. Directed by Colin Hanks, the documentary John Candy: I Like Me presents Candy and Reynolds as two emblematic Canadians whose warmth and humor have shaped generations of comedians.
What ties Candy and Reynolds, given they never shared a screen
John Candy died in 1994 at age 43 from heart failure, long before Reynolds began his ascent in show business, so the two never met or worked together. Reynolds has described Candy as a lasting guide for his own work, and the film frames that influence as a throughline in his career.
I feel like in the bigger movies I’m always either Del Griffith or Neil Page, from Planes, Trains,
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
I tend to really fluctuate back and forth between those guys.
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Reynolds has threaded nods to Candy into his own projects, including references that echo Candy’s humor and a Chrysler LeBaron glimpsed in Deadpool. These touches are presented as affectionate callbacks rather than mere fan service, highlighting a shared sensibility between the two performers.
John was a good person when nobody was watching, and I think that’s an increasingly scarce resource these days, in an age where everything is not only seen, it’s perfection,
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
It’s like an epidemic. All we see is perfection and curation. Nobody wants to try anything new because nobody’s willing to suck at anything.
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
These reflections underscore Reynolds’s view of Candy as more than a comic icon — a steady, generous presence whose example has informed Reynolds’s own approach to fame and film.
Reynolds has made clear that Candy’s impact runs deeper than screen roles; he sees Candy as a touchstone for how to navigate spotlight with decency and humor, especially in an era obsessed with perfection and image.
Toronto Life quotes Reynolds saying that, because both he and Candy were born in Canada, premiering the film in his home country carried particular significance. The Canadian angle adds a personal layer to the documentary’s mission and press outreach.
John was distinctly Canadian. Like me, he was really proud of where he came from and understood that his Canadianness was an advantage in this business,
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
It gave him a kind of self-effacing humour where he didn’t take himself too seriously.
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Beyond the quotes, Reynolds describes Candy’s legacy as one of quiet resilience and generosity — a life that invites a modern audience to smile, even as it reflects on the fragility of stardom and the value of kindness in a high-pressure industry.
Love is not a big enough word. John Candy: I Like Me, official trailer. pic.twitter.com/uLze0lvyat
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 4, 2025
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Ryan also spoke about the challenge of making an engaging documentary about a man who was universally regarded as unimpeachable by colleagues and fans alike. The project aims to balance reverence with storytelling that resonates with viewers who grew up admiring Candy’s work and with a new generation discovering his films for the first time.
The film’s Canadian premiere, along with Reynolds’s involvement, signals a broader moment of celebrating Canadian talent on the global stage. As Candy’s legacy meets Reynolds’s contemporary prominence, the documentary could influence how audiences remember Candy and how Reynolds frames his own career choices going forward — a bridge between a beloved comedian’s past and a current star’s present.
In the end, John Candy: I Like Me stands as a reflective tribute that may spur renewed interest in Candy’s catalog and in the values he embodied — warmth, generosity, and humor — while offering a thoughtful glimpse into how a modern superstar honors a formative icon from his homeland.
