John Candy biographical film grants Toronto film festival a touch of national Canadian flavor on its opening night

In a heartwarming tribute, actor and producer Ryan Reynolds has delved into his admiration for the late John Candy by incorporating references to the comedian in his "Deadpool" films and producing the documentary, "John Candy: I Like Me."

Reynolds, a fan of Candy since childhood, feels a sense of safety and honesty with the presence of Candy in his movies. The documentary, premiering as the opening night film of the Toronto International Film Festival, is a cinematic eulogy for Candy, who died of heart failure at the age of 43 in 1994.

Directed by Colin Hanks, the documentary explores what gave Candy his everyman quality and focuses on Candy not just as an actor, but as a person. Hanks, who worked with Candy's son, Chris Candy, on the set of "Splash," recalls Candy making him feel important as a child.

Chris Candy, one of Candy's children, navigated his own way through an upbringing marked by his father's loss, and it was years before he could visit his father's grave site or rewatch his movies. For him, "John Candy: I Like Me" is a treasured time capsule of memories.

Jennifer Candy, another of Candy's children, found comfort in her father's movies during her grief. The documentary, she finds, is an extremely emotional experience, but one for which she is grateful.

The production of "John Candy: I Like Me" was a labor of love guided by Hanks' longtime admiration for John Candy. Using rare, never-before-seen archival footage, home videos, and interviews with Candy's family and friends, the film premiered as the opening night feature at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 before its streaming release on Amazon Prime.

The documentary will debut on Prime Video on Oct. 10. John Candy, a Canadian comedian and actor, was known for his warm, down-to-earth friendliness in movies like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," "Uncle Buck," and "The Great Outdoors." Despite the sometimes insensitive way his size was discussed in the media, Candy, who grew up in working-class Ontario and whose father also died young, remained a good person even when no one was watching.

Reynolds often feels he embodies characters from Candy's movies in his own films, a testament to the lasting impact Candy has had on the entertainment industry. Tom Hanks, Hanks' father, also worked with Candy on set.

In a poignant nod to Candy's legacy, Reynolds has incorporated references to the comedian in his movies, including the "Deadpool" films. This tribute, along with the documentary, serves as a reminder of Candy's enduring influence and the warm, down-to-earth friendliness that made him a beloved figure in the world of entertainment.