The classic 1980s blockbuster that inadvertently set Ryan Reynolds up for Deadpool

Colin Hanks’ new documentary film “John Candy: I ​​Like Me” details the career and persona of the famous titular comedian/actor, charting his rise on the Canadian comedy scene and his big break on the sketch comedy series “SCTV” in 1976. John Candy was well-liked during his all-too-brief life (he died at the age of 43), having headlined many major films in American comedy, becoming a legitimate movie star. He did all this while remaining kind, frank and polite.

One of Candy’s frequent collaborators was Canadian comedy superstar Dan Aykroyd. Candy and Aykroyd first worked together in the 1976 sitcom “Coming Up Rosie,” although the general American public may best remember their joint credits in “1941” or “The Blues Brothers.” They would go on to star together in films like “The Great Outdoors” and “Nothing But Trouble.” Two comedy legends, usually seen next to each other. Between them, the Candy films were hits, but Aykroyd had the biggest blockbusters. Aykroyd, for example, co-wrote and starred in 1984’s “Ghostbusters,” a film that grossed $370 million on its $30 million budget. Candy was loved and Aykroyd shook up the zeitgeist. Canada, it seemed, was the best place to look for comedy superstars.

Case in point: Ryan Reynolds, the star of “Deadpool” and many other hit comedies, was born in Vancouver. He has always been – like the rest of the world – a fan of Canadian comedians and grew up paying close attention to Aykroyd in particular. At a recent screening of “John Candy: I ​​Like Me” (at which /Film’s Ethan Anderton was in attendance), Reynolds – one of the film’s producers – confessed that he (like so many men his age) rewatches “Ghostbusters” over and over again, loving the line readings and Aykroyd’s nervous characterization. Specifically, Reynolds tried to imitate Aykroyd’s fast delivery. Years later, he realized he was using these impersonations in his performances in the “Deadpool” films.

Those who have seen the “Deadpool” films (and millions have) know that the character is sarcastic, flippant and often speaks directly to the camera. The character possesses rapid healing powers, making him more or less immortal, a power which only strengthened his tendency to be a smartass; why hold back when you can recover from a bar fight you caused? Reynolds admitted that the character’s comedic delivery was inspired by Aykroyd, particularly Aykroyd’s performance in “Ghostbusters.” As Reynolds says:

“My dad pirated every movie ever made when I was a kid. I watched ‘Ghostbusters’ over and over again, the Aykroyd scenes, because I wanted to see if I could talk as fast as Dan. Literally, it was like training for Deadpool 25 years before it happened.”

Watching “Deadpool,” you can definitely hear what Reynolds is talking about. He and Aykroyd indeed accelerate their dialogue with enthusiasm, which Aykroyd did with aplomb (see also his performance in “Dragnet”). Of course, Deadpool and Aykroyd’s “Ghostbusters” character Ray Stantz are very different characters indeed. Deadpool is a violent smartass who doesn’t care about much beyond his immediate circle of friends. Ray is a nerdy scholar, obsessed with science and supernatural phenomena, blessed with childlike wonder. Reynolds didn’t model his characterization on Ray, just the comedic delivery. Imagine Peter Venkman, Ray and Bill Murray’s “Ghostbusters” character, rolled into one, and you’ll be a little closer to Deadpool. Bill Murray is not Canadian, but we won’t blame him for that.

Reynolds has said he won’t be playing Deadpool for a while, but we can be assured he’ll be portraying Aykroyd in the next comedy film he appears in. Or John Candy, maybe. Or any of his completely hilarious compatriots.