Ryan Reynolds teams with Kitchener’s Hacksmith, brings life to John Candy car
Posted Sep 19, 2025 11:22:03 AM.
Last Updated Sep 19, 2025 01:20:26 PM.
A collaboration between Kitchener-based Hacksmith Industries and Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds is looking to bring some life to a much-loved car from John Candy’s Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
In the past, the local research and development company has developed various pop-culture props and gadgets, with a workable and usable spin.
Those include the world’s first functional solid-bladed lightsaber from Star Wars, John Wick’s bulletproof suit from John Wick, the Powerloader from Aliens, and more.
Now, it’s teaming up with Ryan Reynolds and director Colin Hanks to revive the Gran-Detroit Farm and Country, the vehicle that was seen crashed, burned, and driven across the U.S. in the popular John Candy movie.
In a post to social media, the Hacksmith team can be seen working to match the look and condition of the vehicle as seen in the film, driving it, crashing it, and even setting it on fire, all while making it still drivable and usable on the road.
It all comes on the heels of the documentary John Candy: I Like Me debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which Reynolds produced and Hanks directed.
It’s been met with some positive reviews so far, and is set to make its wide release on Amazon Prime Video on Oct. 10.
