John Krasinski’s family film, IF, tells the story of a young girl named Bea who, while going through a difficult time in her life, discovers she has the ability to see “IFs” – imaginary friends who their children have abandoned. Bea and Cal, her new neighbor, set out to reunite these IFs with their former kids in a magical adventure filled with surprises and heartwarming moments that will captivate audiences of all ages. Parents should have tissues handy, as this film is sure to evoke emotions and spark their children’s imaginations.
ThatsItLA attended a roundtable discussion with Krasinski who his shared insights into the inspiration behind the IFs, working with the cast, and the decision to both direct and star in the film.
During the scriptwriting process, Krasinksi sketched out some drawings and imagined what each character would look and sound like. He then used the actors as inspiration. Two of the most special characters to John were inspired by his daughters’ imaginary friends – a pink alligator named Ally and a flaming marshmallow named Ashley. Ally, the pink alligator, lives under his daughter’s bed, but instead of being scared, she sees Ally as a protector against any bad guys. His other daughter’s IF is a flaming marshmallow, inspired by a s’mores-making incident where her marshmallow caught fire.
When it came to capturing the childhood experiencing of creating imaginary friends, Krasinski liked how authentic his daughters were as they disappeared into that magical world that as parents, we’re not invited to. “It wasn’t just the joy and happiness on their faces, it was their fearlessness and ability to be anything they wanted,” he said. “Trying to recreate that feeling at work every day was truly genius.”
“One of the most emotional moments for me was watching Cailey, who not only gave an incredible performance but also managed to represent everyone in the audience, both kids and adults,” Krasinski said. “She made us all question whether or not we should grow up, and watching her work was truly inspiring for me and the rest of the crew. We are all lucky to still be in the creative world of pretend, and Kaylee’s performance left us all with a spring in our step.”
Krasinski was thrilled to reunite with Steve Carell years after NBC’s “The Office” ended. Their long history was potential for a lot of the funny moments in “IF.” So directing Steve again was a breeze for Krasinski because he is so good. “I just let him do his thing and make magic on set,” Krasinski said. “Working with him after so long was fantastic. When he arrived, I expected comedy, but he surprised me with a heartfelt brotherly speech, expressing how proud he was of me. He praised the script and my journey from The Office to writing and directing. It was a touching moment that left me in tears. We ended the day with laughter, thanks to Steve’s comedic brilliance. He is truly remarkable in every way.”
And the director was excited to work with Louis Gossett Jr., who also voices an IF. “I never expected him to say yes, but not only did he agree to be a part of it, he brought such a unique and personal touch to the character,” he said. “It was incredibly touching to see him infuse his own history and experiences into the role, making the scenes even more powerful. I feel incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented and iconic actor.”
Though the chance to reunite with Carrell and collaborate with Gossett Jr. was a dream, there was still work that needed to be done. Krasinski had to write, direct, and star If, which was very personal to him. “Personally, this film is very special to me as it is for my kids,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I got it right. When I started acting in the movie, I wasn’t even sure if I should, but eventually, I thought it would be better for me to act so I wouldn’t annoy the other actors. I made sure to bring the characters to life every day on set, using puppets and stuffed animals to help.”
Krasinski recalled using a favorite puppet named Cosmo to attack Ryan playfully. “[Reynolds] even texted me later saying he loved how mischievous I was with Cosmo,” he said. “It was a lot of fun, and I put my all into it because I wanted to do right by my girls and make this film special.”
Bringing Reynolds on board was a pure stroke of luck for Krasinski. He had admired his co-star’s work, and the idea of working together had always been on their minds. “When I mentioned the concept of a film centered around imaginary friends, Ryan was immediately intrigued,” Krasinski said. “During the pandemic, I realized that the imaginary friend world could serve as a poignant backdrop, reflecting the transition from childhood to adulthood. Seeing my daughter grow up and shed her imaginary playtime for deeper reflections on life inspired the emotional core of the story. I wanted to convey the message that one can carry the essence of childhood into the complexities of adulthood.”
Krasinski said Ryan’s quick acceptance of the role, without even needing to vocalize it, spoke volumes. “His instinctive ‘yes’ showed his deep understanding and connection to the project,” he said. ‘As a father himself, I believe he resonated with the themes of growing up while holding onto the innocence and wonder of childhood.”
Reynolds wasn’t the only star power to appear in “If.” Krasinski also mentioned a newcomer named Brad Pitt. “I saw him as a promising talent and I’m thrilled that I was able to give him his first job,” Krasinski said. “Writing the role of Keith was a joy, especially the humor he brought to the script. Brad’s involvement as an imaginary friend just added to the magic of the film, and he was on board immediately. It’s all about spreading positivity, and I’m grateful to have him on board.”
“If” is out in theaters now.
