Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds on the Struggle to Find Dan Aykroyd for Their ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ Doc

May 1, 2026 10:00am PT Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds on the Struggle to Find Dan Aykroyd for Their ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ Doc

Awards Circuit Podcast: Also on this episode, the Roundtable discusses the unusual year in FYC, the latest category news, talk frontrunners and more.

By Michael Schneider

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Michael Schneider

Variety Editor at Large

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Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds knew exactly how they wanted their Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” to begin, with the touching eulogy that Dan Aykroyd gave at the private Los Angeles memorial service for Candy in 1994.

“We’re dealing with people already know what the outcome is, but they don’t necessarily understand the root in which you got there,” Hanks, who directed the film, tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I felt like it was important to open the film and show that heart right out of the gate, within those first few minutes. Dan Aykroyd wrote such a beautiful eulogy for John, and it just felt like that was such a beautiful way to start the film. To remind people of his grace, his wit, his charm.

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