Throughout 2025, the Toronto Sun engaged in a series of captivating conversations with some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, and culture. From the first interview of the year with comedian Tim Allen to the final discussion with visionary director James Cameron in December, the publication provided readers with exclusive insights from a diverse roster of notable figures.
A Year of Star-Studded Conversations
The interviews spanned the spectrum of the entertainment industry, featuring actors promoting major blockbusters, musicians reflecting on decades-long careers, and athletes celebrating historic seasons. A common thread among the subjects was a shared focus on delivering unique and engaging experiences to their audiences.
Actors like Sydney Sweeney and Ryan Reynolds opened up about deeply personal projects. Sweeney discussed her transformative role as pioneering female boxer Christy Martin in the film Christy, while Reynolds shared his passion behind the documentary I Like Me, a tribute to his comedic idol, the late Canadian John Candy.
In the director's chair, Benny Safdie revealed how he convinced Dwayne Johnson to shed his heroic persona to portray a drug-addled MMA fighter in The Smashing Machine. Originality was a major theme at the box office, with horror films like Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Zach Cregger's Weapons becoming two of the most discussed movies of the year.
Superheroes, Superstars, and Super Canadians
The year saw significant shifts in the cinematic landscape. Brad Pitt found global success with F1, which raced to an impressive $631 million worldwide. Leonardo DiCaprio finally realized a long-held ambition to work with acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson on the politically charged drama One Battle After Another, a film he insisted was meant for the big screen.
In the superhero arena, DC Comics achieved a box office victory as James Gunn's Superman reboot outperformed Marvel's offerings, including Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Canadian pride was a recurring and powerful theme throughout many interviews. Pamela Anderson, following her Golden Globe-nominated turn in The Last Showgirl, spoke effusively about her love for Canada as she launched a new cooking show and prepared for a role in The Naked Gun revamp. This sentiment was echoed by fellow Canadians like singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson.
The Toronto Blue Jays' magical 2025 season, which saw them come within two outs of a World Series championship, was highlighted by American League Championship Series hero George Springer, who credited the fans as a main driver of the team's success.
Memorable Quotes and Lasting Impressions
The interviews were filled with candid reflections and revealing anecdotes:
Sarah McLachlan, on her creative process and Canadian roots: "It’s dark and cold a lot of the year and what else are you going to do other than make art?"
Alex Lifeson, on Rush's enduring legacy: "We took advantage of opportunities that came our way and we worked hard."
Leonardo DiCaprio on the timeliness of One Battle After Another: "The fact that it’s coming out right now, it’s really a mirror for what’s going on in politics and our world and our society."
Sylvester Stallone shared his perspective on the modern film industry, stating he enjoys the streaming series Tulsa King because, "So much of cinema today is messaging, messaging and it’s too much. I’m into escapism."
Eddie Murphy made a bold claim about his influence on film genres: "I know it sounds pretentious if you don’t know the history, but I kind of pioneered (the action-comedy genre). The very first action-comedy movie is 48 Hrs."
From Tom Hardy reflecting on his accidental path to stardom to Christopher McQuarrie detailing Tom Cruise's death-defying commitment to stunts, and Jack Black spontaneously breaking into AC/DC songs, the conversations offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of fame. The year concluded with James Cameron contemplating the potential conclusion of his Avatar saga with Fire and Ash, feeling he had crafted "a story that results in some heartbreak, some tears of joy and some sense of resolution."
Ultimately, the Toronto Sun's 2025 interview series underscored a collective desire from these prominent figures to connect, entertain, and provide a respite from world events, solidifying the power of storytelling across all forms of media.
