Few things seem to be as hot right now as crossovers, even if just for publicity. In a clever marketing move, a behind-the-scenes clip for John Krasinski’s upcoming film “IF” starring Ryan Reynolds has surfaced, bringing back a classic prank from “The Office.”
The NBC sitcom “The Office” featured a memorable cold open where Jim (played by Krasinski) hired Randall Park to impersonate him and confuse Dwight (portrayed by Rainn Wilson). Now, in a comedic twist, the BTS promo clip for the Super Bowl has Park back to prank Ryan Reynolds by being “John Krasinski”.
The video shared on social media such as X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube begins with Ryan Reynolds introducing himself, only to be joined by Randall Park (Totally Killer), who insists that he is John Krasinski, the writer and director of the IF film.
You think you know someone, @johnkrasinski. @IFMovie pic.twitter.com/81caMh5O3e
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 5, 2024
Reynolds, clearly perplexed, challenges Park’s claim, stating, “You’re not John Krasinski; you’re Randall Park. John Krasinski is much shorter and less Asian than you are.” There’s probably a universe where this joke plays out even better with Reynolds playing along, but we’ll leave that to your imagination.
Despite Reynolds’ confusion, Park remains committed to the bit, even seamlessly answering questions about Krasinski’s background, including his hometown (Boston) and marriage to Emily Blunt. Reynolds then breaks the proverbial “Fourth Wall” like Deadpool does, looking at the viewer, expressing his confusion.
The gag extends beyond the introduction as the clip seamlessly transitions into a behind-the-scenes featurette. Park is cleverly inserted into on-set footage, maintaining the charade as he narrates the scenes as if he were Krasinski himself. The result is a delightful and entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the making of “IF.”
“IF” is an original fantasy film, marking Krasinski’s return to the director’s chair after the success of his horror hits, “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II.” This time, Krasinski goes for a whimsical direction in the vein of movies like the Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. movies. Originally titled “Imaginary Friends”, the film was announced in 2019 but later faced delays due to the pandemic.
The plot revolves around a young girl with the ability to see these aforementioned imaginary friends, embarking on a quest to reunite these forgotten companions with their respective children. Reynolds plays a jubilant character referred to only as ‘The Man Upstairs’ who is accompanied by a lovable imaginary friend named simply ‘Blue’ (voiced by Steve Carell).
The rest of the ensemble cast of “IF” includes notable names such as Louis Gossett Jr., Fiona Shaw, Bobby Moynihan, and Alan Kim. Additionally, the film boasts an impressive lineup of voice talents, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Maya Rudolph, Vince Vaughn, Sam Rockwell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Awkwafina, Jon Stewart, and Richard Jenkins.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of “IF,” the behind-the-scenes clip offers a humorous and engaging sneak peek into the making of this imaginative fantasy film. Originally slated for a May 24th release, “IF” will now hit theaters on May 17, 2024.
This adjustment not only positions the Paramount Pictures film a week earlier but also strategically avoids competition with the studio’s SpongeBob SquarePants sequel, which has been rescheduled for a May 2024 streaming release on Netflix. This shift is part of a broader reshuffling of Paramount’s release schedule in response to the delays of its slate due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.
