Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds knew exactly how they wanted to begin their Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” with a touching eulogy delivered by Dan Aykroyd at Candy’s private memorial service in Los Angeles in 1994.
“We’re dealing with people who already know what the outcome is going to be, but don’t understand the fundamentals of how they got there,” Hanks, who directed the film, said on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast. “We felt it was important to open the film and show that heart in the first few minutes. Dan Aykroyd wrote such a beautiful eulogy for John, and we felt that was such a beautiful way to start the film. To remind people of his grace, wit and charm.”
However, this had two major problems. The Los Angeles funeral was not recorded, so there was no recording of Aykroyd’s speech. Only later was a larger memorial service for Candy held in Toronto. And even if they wanted Aykroyd to reprise the role, Hanks and Reynolds didn’t even know how to contact Aykroyd.
“We couldn’t find Dan Aykroyd to save our lives,” says producer Reynolds. “And we couldn’t record his voice. The rough-cut voice gave a bad impression of him. Eventually we tracked him down and he recorded a eulogy, and it came out as clear as the day he first delivered it.”
Hanks and Reynolds stopped by Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast to talk about the making of John Candy: I Like Me and the love, care, and respect they put into honoring the legendary Candy, who passed away at just 43 years old in 1994. Listen below.
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Hanks, of course, knew Candy through her father, Tom Hanks (who co-starred with Candy in Splash). Reynolds had never met Candy, but as a proud Canadian he admired her. Reynolds has said that every “Deadpool” movie will feature an Easter egg dedicated to candy.
“He means everything to me,” Reynolds says. “I can draw a connection to John in both admiration and nostalgia for me. John embodies many of the things I love about my brother: his humility and self-effacing humor, and how sometimes hiding pain and how those maladaptive coping mechanisms can be exploited.”
Hanks noted that Candy’s work continues to be timeless, yet still novel, not only in his films, but also in “SCTV,” a parody of pop culture at the time. “It’s a shame it took us this long to reflect on John’s life and career and give him a proper send-off,” he says. “But at the same time, when is the work as a whole that good? It hardly matters when, as long as it does.”
Besides Aykroyd, Bill Murray was also difficult to track down. But the filmmakers eventually found both and had no trouble lining up the talent. They all spoke passionately about their friend John. These included Mel Brooks, Macaulay Culkin, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Tom Hanks (whom Hanks admitted was the easiest to get), and Catherine O’Hara. The film ends with O’Hara, which is made all the more poignant given her recent death.
Hanks says: “In one of the first conversations I had with Marty Short about making this documentary, he said, ‘You know, it’s actually going to be a problem, because no one’s going to say no. Everybody’s going to want to do it.’ So that created a certain kind of pressure that, okay, we want to be really careful about who we reach out to and who we talk to.”
Hanks and Reynolds’ first appearance on a variety show was also aired. For Hanks, it was the May 1999 blurb.
“Honestly, I think it was a combination of complete excitement and complete fear at the time,” Hanks says. “Obviously I was excited to start a new chapter. Of course I knew I was going to be in a movie and I was going to be on a TV show in the fall. I was incredibly excited. But looking back now, I think there was also a lot of fear.”
For Reynolds, it was in May 1993 (first Cannes submission) and November 1993 (review), with a film titled “Ganesh,” later retitled “Ordinary Magic.”
“I was 13 years old. Shortly after that I quit acting and went to work driving a forklift and working at the Fiascos restaurant in Vancouver,” he jokes. He also remembers working with Paul Anka on this film, saying, “One of Paul’s hits was ‘You Are Having My Baby.’ So I said to Paul, ‘Paul, you’re not going to believe this.’ But when my mom was pregnant with me, you brought her on stage at a concert and sang ‘You’re Have My Baby.’ It’s a bit inappropriate, but it’s also kind of amazing that 13 years later I’m standing here now, co-starring in this movie!”
10 Qs with Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds:
1. Childhood Nickname: Reynolds: “Casper.” Hanks: “Doctor. People often call me ‘Doctor.'”
2. Something I loved as a kid and can’t believe I’m obsessed with now: Reynolds: “Tiger Beat Magazine.” Hanks: “The movie ‘The Lost Boys.'”
3. Song you’d like to sing at karaoke or in the shower: Reynolds: “‘Hold On’ by Wilson Phillips” Hanks: “‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ by Bon Jovi.”
4. What is another title for your show? (I skipped this one.)
5. What’s your secret talent? Reynolds: “I can do a standing backflip.” Hanks: “I stick my arms out, put my hands on top of each other, and tuck them into my arms and pick them up.”
6. Favorite ice cream flavor: Reynolds: “Rocky Road.” Hanks: “Pair cookies and cream with coffee.”
7. Item you can’t live without: Reynolds: “Music.” Hanks: “I have to do music too!”
8. What TV show in history do you wish you were a part of?: Reynolds: “Cheers.” Hanks: “SNL.”
9. Fictional character you most identify with: Reynolds: “Peter Sellers from Being There” Hanks: “The Dude.”
10. Personal favorite quote: Hanks: “No one knows! They don’t know.” Reynolds: “Three words: ‘I don’t know.'” So sexy. ”
At the beginning of the episode, the Awards Circuit Roundtable discusses FYC’s unusual year, the latest new category news, the hot frontrunners, and Emily’s love for Stagecoach.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tunkay, Emily Longeretta and Michael Schneider, who also serves as a producer, is your one-stop destination for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode’s “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talents and creators, discussions and debates about the awards race and industry headlines. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you download your podcasts.
