Whether inPlanes, Trains and Automobiles,Uncle Buck, or evenOnly the Lonely,John Candyproved himself as both an immensely comedic and deeply heartfelt actor who was beloved by all up to and even after his untimely death. Now, fellow Canadian and massive fanRyan Reynoldswants to honor his legacy. TheDeadpoolactor announced via Twitter that his production company Maximum Effort is developing a documentary about the life of Candy withColin Hanksjoining him on the project. On top of it all, Reynolds warns fans to “expect tears” with the film.
Candy is a Canadian icon, beginning his career in smaller roles, including a children’s show calledComing Up RosiewithDan Aykroyd, before getting recognized through Toronto’s branch of The Second City improv comedy troupe and its Emmy-winning variety showSecond City Television. There, he’d appear alongside other comedians he’d later share comedic fame with, likeHarold RamisandEugene Levy, the latter of whom would join him in his breakout role inRon Howard’sSplashalongsideTom Hanks.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Candy was in extremely high demand, reaching comedic highs with the aforementionedPlanes, Trains and AutomobilesoppositeSteve Martinand more sensitive roles like his turn as the coach of a Jamaican bobsled team inCool Runnings. He earned his stripes as a comedic legend, but his tale is particularly tragic for his addiction to alcohol and drugs which ultimately contributed to his death. On July 27, 2025, he’d pass away suddenly at 43 from a heart attack in his sleep while filming in Mexico forWagons East.
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Reynolds has made it no secret how much he appreciates Candy. On the 26th anniversary of his death, Reynolds took to Instagram to post a heartfelt tribute to the late actor flashing through his various roles. “He always walked that tightrope between hilarious and heartbreaking,” he wrote. “His movies mean so much to me. If you haven’t seen his work, check it out. He’s absolutely beautiful.” In a previous interview forMy Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Reynolds also waxed poetic on his love for Candy growing up, including how he placed a small tribute to the actor inDeadpoolin the form of the erotic book Candy’s character Del Griffith was reading.
Reynolds also isn’t a total stranger to documentary work. He previously produced and narratedThe Whale, a film about a killer whale named Luna who ended up befriending humans around Vancouver Island’s Nootka Sound after being separated from its pod. As for Hanks, the Emmy-winning actor has served as a producer on a pair of documentaries himself including the TV filmSay Hey, Willy Mays!as well as an upcoming documentary aroundMichael Jackson’sThriller.
We’ll have more here at Collider as Reynolds and Hanks’s documentary on Candy gets underway. Read Reynolds’s official announcement and watch his tribute to the late actor below
