John Candy
The much-anticipated documentary about the treasured Canadian comedic icon, crafted under the keen eye of Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, is premiering at the grand opening of the Toronto Film Festival on September 4. Ryan Reynolds, whose Canadian roots mirror those of the late John Candy, has nurtured a lifelong admiration for the actor, culminating in this heartfelt project produced for Amazon Prime. As the curtain rises at TIFF, attendees will see Reynolds gracing the red carpet alongside Hanks and members of Candy’s family at the illustrious Roy Thomson Hall.
In a shared statement, Reynolds and co-producer Hanks passionately expressed, “Mention John Candy’s name, and a smile inevitably spreads across your face. Beyond being an outstanding actor, he was a genuinely wonderful human being. His everyman charm endeared him to many, but few truly comprehended how deeply relatable John really was. He faced the same struggles we all do, struggles we openly discuss today. We are profoundly honored to have unearthed more about the man through this journey and to introduce the authentic John Candy to global audiences, beginning in his beloved hometown, Toronto.”
Toronto Film Festival’s tradition of inaugurating with captivating titles continues, with Amazon Prime gearing up to unveil John Candy: I Like Me in the fall of 2025. The festival is no stranger to showcasing notable streaming premieres such as Netflix’s The Swimmers by Sally El Hosaini, Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece The Boy and the Heron, and last year’s highlight, David Gordon Greene’s Nutcrackers headlined by Ben Stiller, before it debuted on Hulu.
Candy’s illustrious career, punctuated by his larger-than-life comedic presence, includes appearances in around 44 memorable films. These classics span the ’80s and ’90s, featuring roles in beloved films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Spaceballs, The Great Outdoors, Uncle Buck, Home Alone, Cool Runnings, and Stripes, amongst numerous others.
Colin Hanks, son of Hollywood royalty Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, had a brush with Candy at the tender age of eight when he featured alongside the comedian and his parents in the 1985 comedy Volunteers. Hanks has since built an impressive acting resume, with credits including roles in the television series Fargo, the limited series The Offer, and Life in Pieces.
Tragically, Candy’s life was cut short on March 4, 1994, in Durango, Mexico, succumbing to a fatal heart attack at just 43 while working on the film Wagons East. John Candy: I Like Me, under Reynolds’ Maximum Effort production company, will present a tapestry of personal anecdotes and heartfelt memories shared by Candy’s family, pivotal players who lent their unwavering support to the project. The documentary promises cameo appearances by Candy’s close friends and longtime colleagues from Hollywood, enriched by archival footage and intimate home videos.
It’s a collaborative effort with producer credits attributed to Hanks, Sean Stuart, Glen Zipper, Reynolds, George Dewey, Johnny Pariseau, and Shane Reid. Ashley Fox, Patrick Gooing, Chris Candy, Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, and Rosemary Candy serve as executive producers, while Maren Domzalski and Aude Temel join as co-producers.
As the Toronto Film Festival marks its half-century milestone, running from September 4 to 14, audiences eagerly anticipate further announcements about exciting lineup additions over the coming months.
