John Krasinski’s ‘IF’: A Star-Studded Fantasy Adventure Rekindling Childhood Magic

The actor-director reveals the inspiration behind his imaginative film and the A-list cast that brought it to life

In the anticipation surrounding John Krasinski’s upcoming film “IF,” one aspect stands out prominently: the stellar voice cast he’s assembled for the project.

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Krasinski delved into the behind-the-scenes magic of his latest endeavor. Fallon was eager to learn how Krasinski managed to enlist such high-profile stars for the film.

“The most yeses of my career came with this movie, and they came quickly because everyone resonated with the idea of imagination, harkening back to childhood,” Krasinski shared enthusiastically.

Discussing the characters, Krasinski unveiled the details behind the ice cube, voiced by Bradley Cooper. He humorously revealed, “I pictured this character as a guy from Philly, a bit downcast about living in Arizona.”

Showing a snapshot of Blake Lively’s character, Krasinski explained her role as “a cat overcoming her fear of water by dressing as an octopus.” He joked about using “emotional blackmail” to convince Lively to join, leveraging the involvement of her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

“I was like, ‘Everyone’s doing it,'” Krasinski quipped. “She was kind enough to come on board.”

One of the most surprising additions to the cast was George Clooney as the voice of the Spaceman. Krasinski teased, “It’s a deep-cut Easter egg; in my mind, he’s reprising his Gravity character, still floating around.”

The ensemble cast includes Emily Blunt, Steve Carrell, Matt Damon, Jon Stewart, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Maya Rudolph, Sam Rockwell, Louis Gossett Jr., Sebastian Maniscalco, Chris Meloni, Richard Jenkins, and Awkwafina, adding depth to the fantastical narrative.

Krasinski’s connection with Clooney dates back over a decade to their collaboration on “Leatherheads” in 2008. Krasinski reminisced about Clooney’s belief in his directorial talents, a belief that eventually led him to pursue filmmaking.

The genesis of “IF” traces back a decade, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that Krasinski felt compelled to bring it to life. Observing his children’s diminishing inclination towards imaginative play, he was inspired to create a world where imagination reigns supreme.

“It was heartbreaking to see their light dimming as they played less and less in their imaginary world,” Krasinski revealed. “I realized this was the essence of growing up. So, I decided to write this movie to reassure them that the magic of childhood is always within reach.”

With its message of reclaiming childhood wonder, “IF” promises to captivate audiences when it hits theaters on May 17.