‘Cool Runnings’ Cast Pays Tribute to the Late John Candy at 90s Con
During the most recent 90s Con in Connecticut this past weekend, original cast members from the Disney film Cool Runnings came together to share fun stories from the making of the film over 30 years later. Leon (who played Derice Bannock), Doug E. Doug (Sanka Coffie), Rawle D. Lewis (Junior Bevil) and Malik Yoba (Yul Brenner) reunited, and during their panel, they opened up about working with the late John Candy, who played former Olympian Irving Blitzer.
Yoba shared a few surprising facts about the film, including that it was originally supposed to be serious, and they initially cast other actors for Candy’s role. The film was loosely based on the true story of the first Jamaican national bobsleigh team and their goal of making it to the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
When Candy was cast, after getting the role over stars such as Kurt Russell, they decided to switch gears and turn the film into more of a comedy. Yoba explained, according to People, “He was a very sweet man, beautiful man, generous, just a great guy to be around. You know what it is? He was genuinely really happening to be doing this movie. Yeah, because it was a different type of movie for him. It wasn’t a movie which, you know …”
Rob McEwan/Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
He continued, “It was a serious movie for him. He lives in comedy, and for him, he got to play a very serious role. This movie originally was a very serious movie. They turned it into a comedy.”
Lewis chimed in about Candy, “I think he was so kind. I was expecting to meet a movie star and I just met a person. I think his pathos, his heart, he was just such a great person.” It ended up being one of Candy’s last roles before his death on March 4, 1994.
Remind 
February 2021
1990s Rom-Coms
Pop some popcorn and cozy up to feel-good movies and TV shows from a generation ago.
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