Ryan Reynolds’ two-year-old son, Olin, played an unexpected but crucial role in convincing Bill Murray to join the new documentary about John Candy. The story of how this unfolded was shared by Reynolds during a panel at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4. The documentary, focused on the late Canadian actor John Candy, benefits significantly from Murray’s involvement, which Reynolds credits to a unique and personal approach involving his toddler son.
The Challenges Ryan Reynolds Faced Contacting Bill Murray
Reynolds, who also produced the John Candy documentary, described the difficulty in reaching Murray. He explained that Murray, at age 74, no longer used a fax machine and had switched to a cellular device that was not straightforward to contact. Attempts to call Murray’s known number initially resulted in reaching a Greek shipping company’s voicemail.
Despite these challenges, Reynolds left numerous messages, persisting until he finally received a call back from Murray. However, their interaction was not without its hurdles, as Reynolds admitted to “failing a test” when Murray questioned him about the “godfather of the spit take.”
Olin’s Unexpected Role in Persuading Murray
After being briefly ghosted by Murray, Reynolds escalated his efforts by sending a humorous video message, emphasizing his desperation. In this video, his two-year-old son made a surprise appearance late at night, adding charm and urgency to the plea.
Reynolds recounted,
“This is when my 2-year-old son just enters from [like] a horror movie, it’s 11:30 at night, this kid should be out cold,”
before describing how Olin directly addressed the camera, telling his father to ask Murray to do the interview. Reynolds then challenged Murray to refuse a request coming from a child. This moment, Reynolds said, was the turning point.
Bill Murray’s Commitment to the Documentary
Following the video, Murray returned Reynolds’ call and expressed his willingness to contribute. Reynolds noted,
“He called back and said, ‘What can I do for JC?’ and he showed up big time,”
referring to John Candy. Reynolds’ family, including his wife Blake Lively and their other children James, Inez, and Betty, were also mentioned during the panel, highlighting their role in this candid story.
About the John Candy Documentary and Murray’s Reflection
The film, titled John Candy: I Like Me, made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and was directed by Colin Hanks, son of actor Tom Hanks. It explores the life and career of John Candy, who passed away at age 43 from a heart attack in 1994.
In the documentary’s trailer, Bill Murray became emotional reflecting on his friendship with Candy. Murray said,
“I can’t tell you what was right about John Candy, or what was wrong. But he was my friend,”
adding,
“And … I don’t wanna cry, but when you see him, when you see his face …”
Additional Contributors and Documentary Focus
The documentary features the participation of numerous notable figures from Candy’s life and career including Macaulay Culkin, Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, Mel Brooks, and Tom Hanks. Their insights contribute to a comprehensive portrayal of Candy’s impact on film and those around him.
Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds on John Candy’s Legacy
Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds jointly emphasized John Candy’s enduring influence on audiences, stating,
“When you hear the name John Candy, your face lights up,”
and,
“He wasn’t just a great actor; he was an even better person. People loved his everyman qualities, but they didn’t know how relatable John really was.”
The statement continued,
“He went through the same struggles we all do, except now we talk about them. We are incredibly honored to have gotten to know the man better through this process and to bring the real John Candy to audiences starting with his hometown of Toronto.”
Release Information and Future Availability
John Candy: I Like Me is scheduled to be available for streaming on Prime Video starting Friday, October 10. This release offers audiences worldwide the opportunity to learn more about the beloved actor’s personal and professional life through heartfelt interviews and archival footage.
