“John Candy: I Like Me” was one of the opening evening offers to the Toronto International Film Festival this year, taking fans in the life and death of the comedy legend. And perhaps without surprise, everyone loved him – which certainly made a little challenge for director Colin Hanks.
Directed by Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, the documentary tells the story of Candy, telling memories and experiences with him of those who were closest to him. The film is made up of sequences of archives, images and interviews without sight.
Among the people interviewed, Bill Murray, who immediately underlines that Hanks and Reynolds should work hard to find “dirt” on candy, as everyone loved. And according to Hanks, it was indeed “a lot” a challenge.
“I mean, at one point, I had this running joke that we should, could name the film” The Thing About John “, because everyone would say:” You know, the thing about John was that he was really great, “recalls Hanks with the editor of Thewrap’s Steve to Tiff.
“I knew it was going to be something that was going to happen a heap,” he added. “And we want it, obviously celebrate that, and to underline this, and show how authentic everyone feels for John, because John was so authentic for them.”
Hanks was aware of the documentary who did not transform into “a visual entry of Wikipedia” on Candy and his work. Finally, he realized that all the struggles shown on the screen should not be extremely deep and dark.
“So, the idea of trying to focus on:” Very well, well, maybe there is no dirt, or may not have these really dark demons he fought, but what was his journey like? What was he going through? “,” Said Hanks.
“And it turns out that the difficulties he had is incredibly relatable,” he continued. “Everyone treats them. And it will be interesting to see how people react to this.”
For his part, Reynolds was bold enough to disagree with Murray directly.
“I said,” Well, I think we live in a dumpster fire. And I have the impression that people want to feel together, and they want to feel joy, “he said. “And you mix this with nostalgia, and you have one of the greatest legal and healthy drugs on planet Earth.”
You can watch the trailer for “John Candy: I Like Me” below.
“John Candy: I Like Me” made its global debut on a video bonus on October 10, 2025.
Moët & Chandon is the exclusive champagne sponsor of Thewrap Tiff Studio 2025.
