John Krasinski, the well-known actor and director, recently opened up about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his family. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, Krasinski shared how the pandemic inspired him to create his latest film, IF, based on his daughters’ experiences with imaginary friends.
The actor revealed that he noticed his children, Hazel and Violet, playing fewer imaginary games during the pandemic, prompting him to explore the concept further. “I made this movie for my kids. I’ve always wanted to make a movie for my kids, but I actually wasn’t sure what that movie would look like,” Krasinski explained. “And then it was the pandemic that gave me the idea because it was when I saw their lights starting to go out and they started doing fewer and fewer imaginary games, and then they started to let the real world in.”
Krasinski emphasized that the film was a way to show his daughters that they could always revisit the magical world they created. “It shattered my heart,” he said when asked about his daughters’ fears during the pandemic. The movie, which is inspired by his daughters’ imaginary friends, has already received positive feedback from Hazel and Violet.
In the interview, Krasinski also shared how specific characters in the film were inspired by his daughters’ imaginary friends. For example, the character of Ally, a pink alligator in the movie, is based on Violet’s imaginary friend who resides under her bed.
With the release of IF, Krasinski hopes to provide a heartwarming and insightful exploration of childhood imagination and the challenges of growing up. The film is a personal project for Krasinski, who aimed to create a meaningful and entertaining experience for his children.
As a loving father, Krasinski expressed the added pressure he felt in making a movie entirely dedicated to his daughters’ magical world. The actor’s commitment to portraying their imagination on screen reflects his deep connection to family and his desire to create meaningful content for his loved ones.
