— At a Toronto International Film Festival screening, Ryan Reynolds said he finally convinced Bill Murray to participate in the new documentary John Candy: I Like Me after sending a late-night video that featured his toddler son, Olin. The film, produced by Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, includes Murray reflecting on his friendship with Candy, who died in 1994 at age 43; it will premiere on Prime Video on Oct. 10.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Reynolds served as a producer on the John Candy documentary screened at TIFF.
- Bill Murray appears in the film after Reynolds sent a video message that involved his toddler, Olin.
- John Candy died following a heart attack in 1994 at age 43; his career and legacy are central to the documentary.
- Colin Hanks directed the film; Tom Hanks also appears and had worked with Candy in the 1980s.
- The documentary will debut on Prime Video on Oct. 10, 2025.
Verified Facts
Ryan Reynolds described the exchange during a TIFF panel on Sept. 5, 2025. He said Bill Murray had not immediately committed to participating, so Reynolds recorded a late-night appeal in which his toddler, who had woken up around 11:30 p.m., urged Murray to “do the interview.” Reynolds said the child’s directness helped secure Murray’s participation.
Bill Murray appears in the documentary and is shown visibly emotional when discussing John Candy. Murray and Candy previously co-starred in the 1981 comedy Stripes; Tom Hanks, who worked with Candy on Splash (1984) and Volunteers (1985), is also part of the documentary and appears on camera.
Colin Hanks directed John Candy: I Like Me; Reynolds is credited as a producer. The film explores Candy’s life and career and is scheduled to stream on Prime Video beginning Oct. 10, 2025.
John Candy died in 1994 after suffering a heart attack at age 43. The documentary compiles interviews and archival material to examine his influence on comedy and his peers in film.
Context & Impact
The anecdote about Murray underscores both the difficulties documentary makers face when securing high-profile interviewees and the informal, personal routes sometimes used to win participation. Public figures like Murray are often selective about on-camera appearances, which can make assembling firsthand testimony challenging for filmmakers.
Featuring Murray and Tom Hanks adds emotional weight and broader visibility to a film that revisits Candy’s legacy. That visibility may introduce Candy’s work to younger viewers and reframe his contributions within discussions of comedy history and Hollywood of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The film’s Prime Video release gives it a global platform; streaming availability often drives renewed interest in an artist’s catalog and can lead to additional retrospectives, interviews, and increased demand for related titles.
“Do the interview Bill!”
— Ryan Reynolds, recalling the moment his son persuaded Bill Murray
Unconfirmed
- Reports that Murray was only reachable for years via fax or an 800 number are widely repeated but not independently verified here.
Bottom Line
The documentary John Candy: I Like Me brings together colleagues and friends who knew the late comedian, with a memorable off-camera intervention — Reynolds’s toddler — helping to secure Bill Murray’s participation. The film’s Oct. 10 release on Prime Video positions it to shape how new and existing audiences remember Candy’s career.