Ryan Reynolds braves imaginary friend drama in John Krasinski's wholesome tale IF

Virgin Radio

14 Dec 2023, 17:59

Hollywood action stars, Ryan Reynolds and John Krasinski, join forces to take drastic career course correction as they swerve towards making a more family friendly movie with IF.

As if the anticipation from the recent Beverly Hills Cop 4 trailer wasn't enough, the cinematic treats keep rolling in with the unveiling of the first trailer for John Krasinski's upcoming film, IF. Starring the charismatic Ryan Reynolds, the movie introduces us to a whimsical world where imaginary friends, or IFs, take centre stage.

The mystery shrouding IF dissipated with the release of its inaugural trailer, showcasing a family-centric narrative that orbits around the intricate lives of these fantastical companions. Reynolds, alongside "The Walking Dead star Cailey Fleming, steps into the shoes of a father-daughter duo tasked with finding new friends for the IFs, as their original companions outgrew them.

Previously teased at CinemaCon earlier this year, Krasinski's IF is a departure from the suspense-filled realms of A Quiet Place and its sequel.

Drawing inspiration from classics like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,"this live-action CGI venture explores the enchanting abilities of a young girl, portrayed by Cailey Fleming. After overcoming a challenging situation, she gains the extraordinary power to perceive everyone's forgotten imaginary friends, revealing a magical undercurrent in her everyday life.

In a heartfelt revelation, to Collider, Krasinski shared his motivations behind creating IF: "IFis a movie that I made for my kids because I don’t think they’re allowed to see ‘A Quiet Place’; Emily [Blunt] calls it PG-40, ‘You’ll get to see it when you’re 40!’ So I had to make a movie that they could see, and I’m really, really excited about it."

The film becomes a canvas for exploring the concept of imaginary friends as timeless time capsules. Krasinski reflects on the enduring nature of these fantastical companions, encapsulating the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of childhood. "Imaginary friends are adorable and all those things, but they’re also time capsules of your hopes, dreams, and ambitions when you were the most fertile of a brain, and it never goes away," he elaborates.

Scheduled for release on May 24, 2024, IF boasts an ensemble cast that reads like a who's who of Hollywood talent. Joining Reynolds and Fleming are Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emily Blunt, Awkwafina, Matt Damon, Sam Rockwell, Alan Kim, Bobby Moynihan, and Liza Colón-Zayas.

Notably, the film marks a reunion for Krasinski and his The Office US co-star Steve Carell, who jokingly hinted at being a diffcult actor on set.

"I'll put him through his paces, you know? I'll make him work for it," he told ET back in June 2022.

"I might be one of those persnickety actors that doesn't always agree or won't come out of my trailer. You think you hired somebody that is a friend, but you got that wrong!"

The trailer tantalizes with glimpses of the star-studded cast, hinting at the imaginative landscape awaiting audiences. While Reynolds and Fleming lead the charge on-screen, the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emily Blunt, Awkwafina, Matt Damon, Sam Rockwell, Alan Kim, Bobby Moynihan, and Liza Colón-Zayas likely bring the various imaginary friends to life.

As we await the whimsical journey that IF promises to be, Krasinski's foray into family-friendly cinema seems poised to capture hearts and transport viewers into a realm where the magic of childhood is alive and well. So mark your calendars for May 24, 2024, and get ready to embark on a delightful adventure that will make you believe in the power of imagination once more.

IF is released in cinemas on May 24, 2024.