09/05/2025
The Toronto International Film Festival premiere of John Candy: I Like Me was already set to be emotional, but Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks added a moment that brought fans to their feet. Instead of arriving in sleek black cars like most stars, the two pulled up in a replica of the vintage Chrysler LeBaron convertible from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. The choice was more than just showmanship it was a nod to one of Candy’s most unforgettable performances and a way of making his presence felt on the night dedicated to him.
For Reynolds, who has always worn his admiration for Candy on his sleeve, the gesture was a love letter to the comedian’s legacy. The LeBaron wasn’t just a car it symbolized the vulnerability, humor, and humanity Candy brought to Del Griffith in the 1987 classic. Choosing to arrive in that replica tied the documentary back to its roots, reminding everyone that the title I Like Me came from that very film. It was a cinematic wink that Candy himself would have likely loved.
Colin Hanks, who co-produced the documentary with Reynolds, shared the moment with quiet pride. Growing up around his father, Tom Hanks, and witnessing Candy’s brilliance firsthand, he knew just how deeply the car and the film resonated with fans. Their arrival wasn’t just an entrance; it was a storytelling moment in itself, one that set the tone for a premiere filled with nostalgia, laughter, and emotion. Together, they honored John Candy not only with words on the screen but with a gesture that brought his spirit back onto the streets of Toronto.
