John Krasinski's 'IF' brings imaginary world alive for daughters

FILE PHOTO: Emily Blunt and John Krasinski pose on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

By Hanna Rantala

LONDON (Reuters) – John Krasinski says he made his new film “IF” for his children.

The live-action and animated fantasy comedy is written, directed and produced by Krasinski, who also plays the main character’s father and voices “Marshmallow” in the movie.

“IF” tells the story of 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming) who, during a difficult time in her life, discovers that she can see children’s forgotten imaginary friends, or IFs. Together with her new neighbour, Cal (Ryan Reynolds), she sets out to reunite the discarded IFs with their now grown-up inventors or find them new homes.

“It was a thousand percent for my kids. I’ve always wanted to make a movie for my kids and I had spent so many years watching them go into this magical world that parents aren’t invited into. And I just saw the joy that they had in that world,” said Krasinski, who has two daughters with his wife, actress Emily Blunt.

“And then Covid hit and they started to have their lights go out a little bit and they were doing fewer and fewer imaginary games. And I just thought this is the time to tell them that no matter what, that imaginary world that they created, you can always go back,” he said at the film’s London premiere on Tuesday.

The IFs come in many shapes and forms and are voiced by an all-star cast including Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Blake Lively, Matt Damon and Blunt.

“I just called a bunch of friends who did me a huge solid one that I can never repay them for,” said Krasinski, known for directing the “A Quiet Place” horror thrillers, starring in the “Jack Ryan” television series and playing Jim Halpert in the U.S. version of “The Office”.

“But I got to say, they all said that they did it for the right reason, which is that they loved the idea of the movie and they wanted to put something good out in the world.”

“IF” starts its global cinematic rollout on May 8.

(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Stephen Coates)