Latest news with #JohnCandy:ILikeMe
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks' Documentary ‘John Candy: I Like Me' to Open Toronto Film Festival's 50th Edition
'John Candy: I Like Me,' a documentary from director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds, will open the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. It's set to screen on Sept. 4 at Roy Thomson Hall. Candy was a Toronto-born comedian who rose to fame on Canada's sketch comedy show 'SCTV' and went on to star in films such as 'Spaceballs,' 'Uncle Buck,' 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles,' 'National Lampoon's Vacation' and 'Little Shop of Horrors.' He unexpectedly died of a heart attack at age 43 in 1994. More from Variety 'The Shadow Scholars,' Executive Produced by Steve McQueen, Debuts Trailer Ahead of North American Premiere at Tribeca (EXCLUSIVE) Bill Murray to Topline Second Annual Croatia International Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE) 'Welded Together' Acquired by Lightdox Ahead of Sheffield DocFest Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) 'Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy's humor,' said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. 'We love that John's global career started in Toronto. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart.' 'John Candy: I Like Me' presents an unvarnished look at the funnyman's life on and off camera, featuring home videos and candid interviews with his family, friends and collaborators. According to the official logline, 'it's the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.' Amazon MGM is backing the film, which will debut on Prime Video in the fall. 'When you hear the name John Candy, your face lights up. He wasn't just a great actor; he was an even better person,' Hanks and Reynolds said. 'People loved his everyman qualities, but they didn't know how relatable John really was. 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.' Other than the opening night film, TIFF's lineup hasn't been released. This year's festival will take place from Sept. 4 through 14. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marvel Won't Have to Turn Over ‘Highly Confidential' Documents About Development of Ryan Reynolds' Nicepool After Judge Tosses Justin Baldoni's Defamation Case
The introduction of the character Nicepool in Marvel's 2024 hit 'Deadpool & Wolverine' might mark the most scrutinized four minutes of screen time in recent memory. On Monday, Judge Lewis Liman threw out Justin Baldoni's defamation case against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. That means Marvel won't have to turn over what it calls 'proprietary and highly confidential' documents and communications about the development of Reynolds' Nicepool character. While Judge Liman threw out Baldoni's defamation case, he is allowing the director to file an amended complaint by June 23 regarding interference with contracts. But the Nicepool subpoena was tied to the defamation claims, which are now dead. More from Variety Justin Baldoni to 'March Forward' With Blake Lively Legal Battle After $400 Million Defamation Suit Thrown Out: Facts Are 'on Our Side' Judge Throws Out Justin Baldoni's $400 Million Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks' Documentary 'John Candy: I Like Me' to Open Toronto Film Festival's 50th Edition The move follows months of back and forth on the matter between attorneys for Baldoni and the studio, which was trying to quash the director's efforts to obtain the material in his ongoing legal battle with Lively. On Jan. 7, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman sent a litigation hold letter to Marvel president Kevin Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger, instructing the studio to preserve all relevant documents and data with regards to Baldoni. That letter came one week before the 'It Ends With Us' director filed a civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds for $400 million, claiming that the married power couple sought to 'destroy' him with false harassment claims and an alleged smear campaign. Marvel was subpoenaed on Feb. 14. Disney declined comment. Baldoni's attorneys have argued that Reynolds was intentionally mocking and bullying Baldoni in a four-minute scene in Marvel's 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' which was released by Disney in July. On screen, Reynolds played 'Nicepool,' a misogynistic alternate version of the titular protagonist Deadpool, and served up such lines as 'Where in God's name is the intimacy coordinator?!' while complimenting Ladypool for 'snapping back' into shape after giving birth. Those lines echo elements of Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and two of his publicists, in which she claims she was the victim of sexual harassment on the set of 'It Ends With Us' and a subsequent smear campaign for speaking up about alleged mistreatment. Lively, who appears in the same scene as Ladypool, accused Baldoni of sexually harassing and fat-shaming her postpartum body on the set of 'It Ends With Us.' When Deadpool points out Nicepool's sexism in the scene, the latter replies, 'It's OK, I identify as a feminist.' (During the development, production and marketing of 'It Ends With Us,' a drama about domestic violence, Baldoni often touted his credentials as a feminist and ally to women.) On April 2, the studio's attorney Adam Levin at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp wrote to Freedman, asking him to withdraw the subpoena because disclosure of the documents 'is likely to substantially harm Marvel' and 'irrelevant to the claims asserted in this case.' Levin added, 'The requested documents are particularly sensitive because they relate to the development of a character in an ongoing movie franchise. Marvel has built the success of the MCU in large part by interconnecting storylines, plots, and characters across its titles, including 'crossover' events and sequels. Whether and how such elements will appear in upcoming, unreleased projects is the subject of much public interest, and this information is closely guarded by Marvel.' The Marvel attorney asked Freedman to agree to defer the return date of the subpoena 'until after the Court decides Reynolds' pending motion to dismiss.' On April 25, Marvel attorney Jacob Albertson wrote to Judge Liman to request that the court quash the Baldoni subpoena. Albertson made similar arguments as Levin previously made and added that producing any documents and communications concerning Baldoni would prove to be 'unduly burdensome.' He added, 'The Wayfarer Parties certainly have other, less burdensome means through which they can obtain relevant information (if any exists) from the parties in the action, such as a request for admission or a party deposition.' Three days later, Baldoni's lawyers Mitchell Schuster and Kevin Fritz of Meister Seelig & Fein shot back with a letter to Judge Liman. 'Marvel does not explain how the Subpoena is unduly burdensome, especially given the Wayfarer Parties' agreement to narrow the scope thereof, and Marvel does not claim it will incur significant expense to locate and produce the documents,' the letter stated. (Freedman's initial litigation hold letter was far more broad and asked the studio to preserve communications concerning Tim Miller, who directed the first 'Deadpool' movie but did not return for the sequel or 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' Miller and Reynolds are known to have clashed.) 'The suggestion by Marvel that the Wayfarer Parties should obtain documents and information concerning 'Nicepool' from the parties hereto (including from Ryan Reynolds himself) is insincere because Marvel also seeks a protective order 'prohibiting the disclosure of Marvel's confidential documents by any party or other nonparty in this action,'' Schuster and Fritz added. The attorneys argued that the subpoena only seeks documents concerning one character — 'Nicepool' — who appears in one already released movie. They note that Nicepool does not appear in any other entry in Marvel's film franchise and will not appear in any future outings given that he was killed off in 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' The letter also took issue with Marvel's move to stall pending a determination of Reynolds' motion to dismiss. 'Reynolds himself has neither sought nor obtained a stay of discovery in connection with his dismissal motion,' the letter stated. 'Additionally … there are not substantial grounds for dismissal of the claims against him. And in the unlikely event claims against Reynolds are dismissed with prejudice, the information sought in the Subpoenas remains relevant as to the suit against Lively, as the Wayfarer Parties contend Reynolds was acting as an agent of Lively.' Baldoni's battle with Marvel is merely a subplot in a much larger war between the director and his 'It Ends With Us' star. There are currently multiple lawsuits that involve 'It Ends With Us' parties, the most recent one being filed by Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios against his former publicist Stephanie Jones, who he alleges 'maliciously' leaked text messages that sparked the entire saga. At the center of the sprawling back and forth, Baldoni is suing and being sued by Lively over what happened on the set of and in the run-up to the release of the 2024 domestic violence drama. Lively's lawyers celebrated Judge Liman's decision on Monday. 'As we have said from day one, this '$400 million' lawsuit was a sham, and the court saw right through it,' Lively's lawyers said on June 9 after the dismissal. 'We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys' fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni […] and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.' Baldoni's attorneys vowed to keep fighting, noting 'Ms. Lively and her team's predictable declaration of victory is false, so let us be clear about the latest ruling.' Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman added in a statement to Variety: 'While the court dismissed the defamation related claims, the court has invited us to amend four out of the seven claims against Ms. Lively, which will showcase additional evidence and refined allegations. This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively's own team conveniently describes as 'untraceable' because they cannot prove what never happened.' There has been much discussion about why the development of Nicepool was relevant in a legal drama that stems from a different movie ('It Ends With Us') that was produced and distributed by a different studio (Sony). But Baldoni's lawyers say the breadcrumbs were left in plain sight. In the end credits of 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' the actor who plays Nicepool is listed as 'Gordon Reynolds' and not Ryan Reynolds. Lively subsequently thanked Gordon Reynolds in the end credits of 'It Ends With Us,' drawing a throughline to Nicepool. Lively herself has used similar language that mirrors lines in 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' In a July 22 Instagram post that tagged @deadpoolmovie and @itendswithusmovie, Lively wrote 'about Nice men who use feminism as a tool.' For its part, Marvel previously noted the intense media scrutiny in the case as grounds to quash the subpoena. That interest began long before the parties began suing one another, with seemingly innocuous observations from fans about members of the cast of 'It Ends With Us' unfollowing Baldoni on social media last summer ahead of the film's release. And it continues with recent reports that Travis Kelce has unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram. Kelce's girlfriend, Taylor Swift, appears to be keeping her distance from the drama even though her name has surfaced repeatedly in coverage of the case given her friendship with Lively during the production of 'It Ends With Us.' Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Coogler Says ‘Sinners' Was the Antidote to Directing Franchise Films: ‘I Wanted to Get Away from That'
Ryan Coogler has no interest in turning 'Sinners' into a franchise and is standing by it. The 'Black Panther' and 'Creed' director told Ebony Magazine that despite his original film being a box office hit, it's a one and done story. Coogler reunited with his frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan for the film, which puts Jordan in dual roles as twin gangsters Smoke and Stack. The film follows the brothers as they escape dueling factions in Chicago and return home to Mississippi to open a music hall, only to discover more blood-sucking foes left to battle. More from IndieWire 'John Candy: I Like Me' Documentary to Open 2025 Toronto International Film Festival Jon M. Chu Warned His 'Wicked: For Good' VFX Team That the Film Will Inevitably Be Memed 'I wanted the movie to feel like a full meal: your appetizers, starters, entrees and desserts, I wanted all of it there. I wanted it to be a holistic and finished thing,' Coogler said. 'That was how I was asked all about it. That was always my intention.' He continued, 'I've been in a space of making franchise films for a bit, so I wanted to get away from that. I was looking forward to working on a film that felt original and personal to me and had an appetite for delivering something to audiences that was original and unique.' Coogler is confirmed to be developing an 'X-Files' reboot, saying during the 'Last Podcast on the Left' that the project has been in the works for a while. He also is returning to the MCU franchise world with 'Black Panther 3,' which will star Denzel Washington. 'I've been excited about ['X-Files'] for a long time, and I'm fired up to get back to it,' Coogler said. 'Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really fucking scary. We're going to try to make something really great and really be something for the real 'X Files' fans, and maybe find some new ones.' Coogler previously thanked fellow filmmakers Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Brian De Palma for helping to inspire his leap of faith with 'Sinners.' He also credited audiences for purchasing tickets to go to the feature in theaters. Coogler wrote in a letter shared with IndieWire, 'I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry, but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters. We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can. We don't get to do what we do if you don't show up. To see your response to the film has reinvigorated me and many others who believe in this art form. And together maybe we can expand the definition of what a blockbuster is, what a horror movie is, and of what an IMAX audience looks like.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Toronto Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
‘John Candy: I Like Me' to open 50th edition of Toronto International Film Festival
TORONTO - A documentary about late Canadian comic John Candy will open the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival says 'John Candy: I Like Me' traces the comedy star's personal and professional life with never-before-seen home videos and candid recollections that reveal a son, husband, father and friend who battled personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.
UPI
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
John Candy documentary to open Toronto International Film Festival
1 of 4 | Director Colin Hanks' documentary "John Candy: I Like Me" will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo June 4 (UPI) -- The 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival will open with the world premiere of the documentary John Candy: I Like Me. TIFF announced the documentary, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, will screen Sept. 4 at the Opening Night Gala at Roy Thomson Hall. The film chronicles the life and career of Candy, an actor and comedian who died in 1994 at the age of 43. "Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy's humor," TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a news release. "We love that John's global career started in Toronto, and we can't wait to share John Candy: I Like Me with everyone at this year's Opening Night Gala premiere. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart. For us, it's the perfect way to kick off TIFF's 50th edition." John Candy: I Like Me features never-before-seen home videos, interviews with his family and the recollections of colleagues and collaborators. The documentary is set to be released in the fall on Prime Video. Ryan Reynolds's career: Film premieres, laughs and family Ryan Reynolds (L), and his former girlfriend, Alanis Morissette, pose together at the premiere of "De-Lovely" in New York City on June 21, 2004. Reynolds and Morissette met in 2002 and dated for two years before becoming engaged in 2004. They then split in 2007. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo
