Bill Murray is known for being elusive, a reputation that Ryan Reynolds experienced firsthand. At the recent premiere screening of his documentary, “John Candy: I Like Me”, during the Toronto International Film Festival, Reynolds shared the lengths he went to secure Murray's participation in the film.
For years, Murray has reportedly only been reachable via a fax machine or an 800 number. Despite this, when Reynolds approached him to appear in the documentary about the beloved late actor John Candy, Murray didn’t give a definitive yes or no. Candy, who tragically passed away from a heart attack in 1994 at the young age of 43, left a significant impact on the film industry, and Reynolds was determined to honor his legacy.
During a panel discussion, Reynolds recounted his desperation to convince Murray to join the project. He revealed that he ultimately resorted to sending a heartfelt video message featuring his toddler son, Olin, whom he shares with his wife, actress Blake Lively. “I’m like, ‘Bill, I’m running out of time, of course existentially because death will find me someday, but I’m also running out of time on this doc,’” Reynolds reflected. “And I was lying. I wasn’t running out of time. I’d run out of time two weeks ago.”
In a humorous twist, Reynolds described how his son, who should have been asleep at 11:30 p.m., woke up to show off his “Jingle Bells” shirt. “I said, ‘I’m trying to send a video to Bill, tell Bill to do the interview,’” Reynolds recounted. In a comical tone, Olin responded with an enthusiastic, “Do the interview, Bill!” Reynolds added, “Would you say no to a child like that? Then I don’t know what kind of monster you are.” This heartfelt plea from his son seemed to do the trick, as Murray eventually agreed to participate.
Murray, who famously starred alongside Candy in the 1981 film “Stripes”, appears in the documentary's trailer, where he becomes visibly emotional while reminiscing about his late friend. The film is produced by Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, whose father, Tom Hanks, also shared the screen with Candy in classics like “Splash” (1983) and “Volunteers” (1985). Notably, the Oscar-winning Hanks is also featured in the documentary.
“John Candy: I Like Me” is set to premiere on October 10 on Prime Video, promising to be a touching tribute to one of comedy’s greatest talents. With a mix of nostalgia and heartfelt stories, the documentary aims to celebrate Candy’s enduring legacy and the friendships he forged throughout his career.
