You’ve seen the clip. Everyone has. It’s that five-second snippet of two Canadian legends—Ryan Reynolds and Eugene Levy—looking like they’re about to drop the gloves in a hockey rink. For a minute there, the internet collectively lost its mind. People were ready to cancel Deadpool for allegedly being "rude" to America's (and Canada’s) favorite TV dad. But honestly? The reality of the Eugene Levy and Ryan Reynolds situation is way more nuanced than a grainy TikTok video suggests.
Context matters. It always does.
The whole thing went down at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025. They were there for the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary about the late, great John Candy. Now, imagine the pressure. You’re on a red carpet. It’s loud. There are flashing lights everywhere. You’re trying to honor a dead friend while a hundred photographers scream your name. It’s a recipe for a bad mood, even if you’re the most "likable" guy in Hollywood.
The "Meltdown" Seen 'Round the World
Let’s talk about that viral exchange.
Social media was flooded with claims from self-proclaimed lip readers. They alleged that Reynolds snapped, telling Levy to "watch his mouth" or even worse. Some threads on Reddit got pretty heated, with fans calling Reynolds a "spoiled brat" for talking down to an elder.
But if you look at the actual footage without the sensationalist captions, it’s a lot harder to be certain.
- The "Clenched Jaw": Some viewers pointed out Ryan’s tense body language.
- The Quick Exit: He seemed to finish the conversation abruptly and pivot to a reporter with a "fake" smile.
- The Contrast: Levy looked genuinely perplexed, which fueled the "he’s a bully" narrative.
Is it possible Ryan was just stressed? Probably. Is it possible they were actually joking? Also probable. These two have a history of dry, Canadian wit. Sometimes, what looks like a fight to an American audience is just how two guys from Ontario say hello.
A Shared Legacy: The John Candy Connection
You can't talk about these two without mentioning John Candy. He’s the bridge between them.
Eugene Levy was a long-time friend and colleague of Candy from their SCTV days. They were the old guard. Ryan Reynolds, on the other hand, grew up idolizing Candy. He’s the one who spearheaded the documentary. In interviews, Ryan has been visibly emotional talking about the project, calling it a "labor of love."
At the premiere, Ryan actually spoke about having a "thoughtful conversation" with Eugene regarding a specific scene in the movie. They were discussing how to handle sensitive topics like Candy's weight and the way the media treated him.
Does that sound like two people who hate each other? Not really. It sounds like two professionals trying to get a legacy project right.
Why We Care So Much About This "Beef"
We live in an era of the "celebrity downfall."
People love to see the "nice guy" mask slip. Ryan Reynolds has built an empire on being the charming, self-deprecating jokester. Between Mint Mobile, Wrexham, and Deadpool, he’s everywhere. When someone is that successful, people start looking for the cracks.
On the flip side, Eugene Levy is untouchable. He’s Johnny Rose. He’s the dad from American Pie. He represents a gentler, classier era of comedy. When those two worlds collide in a way that looks negative, it triggers a massive protective instinct in the public.
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Basically, we don’t want Eugene to be sad.
The "Canadian Argument" Meme
Eventually, the internet did what it does best: it turned the "feud" into a joke.
Memes started popping up calling it the "most Canadian argument ever." People joked that they were probably arguing over who was going to pay for the Tim Hortons. Or maybe they were just debating the best way to use the word "sorry."
One popular (and clearly fake) transcript of the "fight" went:
"I'm not your guy, friend!"
"I'm not your friend, buddy!"
"I'm not your buddy, pal!"
It’s a classic South Park reference, but it perfectly captured how silly the whole controversy felt once the initial shock wore off.
What’s Next for Ryan and Eugene?
Despite the red carpet drama, there's no evidence of a long-standing rift. In fact, rumors are already swirling about potential future collaborations.
- More Documentaries: There’s talk of Ryan’s production company, Maximum Effort, working on more retrospectives of Canadian comedy icons. Eugene would be a natural consultant for those.
- Commercial Cameos: Ryan loves putting unexpected legends in his Mint Mobile or Aviation Gin ads. Could we see Eugene Levy showing up to sell us a data plan? It would be a marketing masterstroke.
- Award Season: As the John Candy documentary gains traction, expect to see them on more stages together.
The "beef" was likely a moment of human friction caught in a high-pressure environment. It’s a reminder that celebrities, even the ones we think we know, have bad days.
If you want to support these two, the best thing you can do is actually watch the work they were there to promote. The John Candy documentary is a genuine tribute to a comedy titan. Instead of analyzing five seconds of red carpet footage, spend two hours watching them celebrate a man who made the world laugh.
Check out the latest clips from the John Candy: I Like Me press tour to see the context for yourself. You might find that the "tension" was just two guys tired after a long day of being famous.