Still, Krasinski's transition from small screen to big hasn't been a cakewalk. His first two starring roles, in the rom-com 'License to Wed' and George Clooney's gridiron flick 'Leatherheads,' were for the most part, critical and box office busts.
Fans will be happy to know the actor turns out his best film yet with 'Away We Go,' a quirky relationship dramedy starring Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as a couple prepping for the birth of their first child. Krasinski told us his take on fame, sex scenes with Rudolph ... and how his life may be one elaborate Clooney prank. -- By Kevin Polowy
John Krasinski Photos
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
Getty Images
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 18: Actor John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Inside the Office" panel discussion on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Krasinski
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Actor John Krasinski attends "Inside the Office" at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents "Inside the Office" Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre North Hollywood, CA United States March 18, 2009 Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57002923), contact FilmMagic.com
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
John Krasinski arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presents "Inside The Office" at the Leonrad H. Goldenson Theatre on March 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, California. Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences Presents "Inside The Office" Leonrad H. Goldenson Theatre North Hollywood, CA United States March 18, 2009 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (57002257), contact WireImage.com
Todd Williamson/WireImage.com
Can you describe your reaction to getting the call for this from director Sam Mendes?
I can if you can detail the writing version of having a nose bleed and passing out on the floor of a trailer, and if you can make it look like a crime novel, that's what I looked like ... I was in my trailer for 'The Office,' practicing my looks for the camera in the mirror, and I got a call and Sam said, "I just read the script, and I can't see anyone other than you doing it" ... And yes, there was a small part of me that was like, "Wow, George Clooney is an incredibly complex prankster." He's the kind of guy who could get Sam Mendes to make that call, and then be like, "Remember when your life was awesome? Well, it was all a joke."
But Clooney had nothing to do with it?
I definitely looked outside my trailer because he would also get on set, because he's so charming he just smiles at people and everyone falls on the ground. No, it was awesome, and I actually did talk to George about doing the movie later, and he obviously said it was a no-brainer to do a movie like this and work with Sam.
The opening scene involves you and Maya in bed, with you "down low" under the covers. Who was that more awkward for to shoot?
Definitely for Maya, because I could have been sleeping down there and nobody would know. And here's the thing, Maya wears, very fashionably, four pairs of pants. And, so, she was wearing biker shorts, boxers, granny panties and MC Hammer pants and board shorts [laughs].
Do you think your chemistry came pretty natural, or did you have to work on it a little bit?
Believe it or not, I had known about Maya and there're few people that I like watching perform more. I almost reached stalker status at 'SNL,' I loved being behind the scenes at that show. So I had known her through a mutual friend, but then when we actually started rehearsing, because we got to work on the script together and Sam was so collaborative, we actually started to feel like this was our project ... And honestly, I think Maya's one of the most special people I've ever met, so I was just psyched to have a friend that was this incredible, and on top of it we were doing a movie.
Did you have any hesitation before playing a character named Burt Farlander?
[Laughs] You know what's funny? When I read the name Burt I was like, "Well that just doesn't sound right." It's also hard to tell [writers] Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, "Rename your character for me." But then when you actually get into shooting and rehearsing, it's like, "Of course that's his name!" It was funny, we talked about it throughout the movie that there's this Burt-esque thing that happens later, so the word "Burt" kind of meant this overly positive, almost child-like way to approach things. Sam would be like, "Oh yeah, that's very Burt." But yeah it was awesome playing a guy named Burt Farlander.
Your first two starring roles in studio movies weren't exactly critical darlings. Did that steer you towards a more independent movie like 'Away We Go'?
All three of these projects that you're referring to are complete gifts from the sky, because they literally fell out of the sky for me. I know it looks like I made the really amazing choice of working on this film, but the truth is 'License to Wed' was a director from 'The Office' who said he really wanted to do it with me, and with 'Leatherheads' George Clooney picked me out of a group of people and I'm not sure how that happened, but he was so incredibly nice to pick me. And then Sam called me for this, so it's not like I had any feeling that I needed to do anything different, I just got incredibly lucky to work on projects like this. And I have to say I had such a blas
t working on 'License to Wed' and 'Leatherheads.' And working with George taught me all the things that I needed to know about doing a movie like this. Both those experiences were so phenomenal and, yes, this one was just sort of the whole package.Do you ever get sick of people calling you Jim?
People's big question is always, "Are you going to make a big departure from the show to do movies?" It's like the opposite. It's not something you depart from or break away from, it's something you grasp onto as tightly as you can because, honestly, it's the greatest gift I've ever had in my life. I mean, not only is the show amazing, but for me doing this part, you get to play some funny stuff and some real moments. Steve Carell said it best: Most likely, no matter what any of us go on to do, Steve could win an Oscar, Jenna could become president, they'll still be like, "Oh my god, you're the guys from 'The Office.'" And that to me is a tremendous honor ... Being a part of something that new and original is awesome. So I think [being called Jim] comes with the territory of being on a good show.
You've done 100 episodes of 'The Office' now. Is there anything you think Jim should do?
It's funny, the 100th episode is such a big deal that it kind of caught most of us off guard. I didn't know that we were hitting 100 episodes until like two weeks before and I was like, "Oh my god, that's insane." I thought maybe at most we'd done 48, or something like that. So, I guess two years of my life are just missing and I have no idea where they've gone ... But I think Jim's being content in the office, that probably will come to a head at some point and he will have to decide whether or not he wants to be this guy forever -- if he wants to move up, or away, or something. That's something to explore.
Do you have any advice for people considering interoffice romances?
I say that you can't distinguish between office romances and regular romances. It's the same rules that apply on the street, which is ... buy brass knuckles. No, it's the same rules that apply on the street, which would be, if it's real and it feels legitimate then you have to go for it. You can't set yourself up for disappointment in every way, shape or form by saying, "Oh, we work together, so we can't do this." If it feels really right, then you go for it. But if it's like a weekend fling at a party, you might want to think twice about it.
Are you now shooting a movie with Meryl Streep, or are you done with it?
I'm in the middle of shooting that movie right now. Like I said, I'm going to work with someone good, one of these days I'll work with someone. I'm pretty sure my entire career is a George Clooney prank so I'm making the most of it while it's here. Yeah, I'm working with Meryl now in 'The Untitled Nancy Meyers Project,' which I think is a great title ...
Is she your lover in this movie?
Unfortunately, not. That would be more awkward than being with Maya, I think. I am playing Meryl's daughter's fiancé, so it's a small part, and I love Nancy's movies. I think there's something incredibly uplifting and fun about the way she sees the world, at least in her films. It's fun, and I think when they tell you that all your scenes will be with Meryl or Steve Martin you're like, "Yes! I will do that."
What are the best and worst things about fame?
The movie 'Fame'? [Laughs] I think that it's really a tough question for me to answer, because I'm not Brad Pitt. It's one of those things where you're on a show that's really fun and you're a part of movies. So, this side of fame is just awesome, you know, to be a part of good stuff and be recognized for it is a real honor. But I'm a pretty boring dude otherwise, so I think people kind of forget that I exist.
Summer 2009 Indie Sleepers
Summer Sleepers
So you think summer movies are all about ginormous box office blockbusters? Au contraire! There's plenty on tap for those with more, ah, discerning tastes, including new movies from indie directors Ang Lee, Steven Soderbergh, Jim Jarmusch and Woody Allen.
And if you want big-name stars, those are here, too: Robert Pattinson as Salvador Dali, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel as young lovers, Jessica Biel as a saucy race-car driver. Find out what films may be poised to become this summer's breakout sleeper hits.
Summit Entertainment/ Focus Features/ Sony/ Fox Searchlight
'Adoration'
Opening: May 8
Starring: Arsinée Khanjian, Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Devon Bostick
What It's About: A teenage boy is torn by the bits and pieces of a family history he never fully understood in this new film from acclaimed director Atom Egoyan ('The Sweet Hereafter'). Using the Internet as his forum, Simon (Bostick) disguises his own personal narrative as a news story about terrorism, but painting his parents as the subjects. The boundless parameters of the Internet provide Simon with a massive -- and highly opinionated
-- audience.
More on 'Adoration':
Sony
'Little Ashes'
Opening: May 8
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty
What It's About: Pattinson plays the young Salvador Dali, a student in Spain who meets fellow artists poet Federico Garcia Lorca (Beltran) and filmmaker Luis Bunuel (McNulty). Dali and Lorca develop a close and complicated friendship, with both men feeling an intellectual -- and sexual -- attraction to the other. Of course, 'Twilight' fans don't care about the plot, they'd watch Pattinson read from a phonebook ... and pay for the privilege.
More on 'Little Ashes':
Check this out:
Regent Entertainment
'The Brothers Bloom'
Opening: May 22
Starring: Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Mark Ruffalo
What It's About: Rian Johnson's writer-director follow-up to the under-appreciated high school noir 'Brick' is just as original and twice as accessible. The tale of lifelong con men Stephen (Ruffalo) and Bloom (Brody) who set out to scam quirky heiress Penelope (the beautifully zany Weisz) out of her fortune, the film works as a con caper, a sweet romance and a sibling dramedy. But it never cons us into caring about the characters; it elicits our affections honestly.
More on 'The Brothers Bloom':
Summit Entertainment
'Easy Virtue'
Opening: May 22
Starring: Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Colin Firth
What It's About: An American race-car driver (Biel) scandalizes a posh English family when she marries its young heir (Ben Barnes) after a whirlwind romance. Stephan Elliot ('Priscilla, Queen of the Desert') directs this adaptation of the Noel Coward play, so though there won't be any drag queens in this period comedy, the movie itself certainly won't be a drag.
More on 'Easy Virtue':
Sony
'The Limits of Control'
Opening: May 22
Starring: Isaach De Bankole, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray
What It's About: Hipster auteur Jim Jarmusch's first film since 2005's acclaimed 'Broken Flowers,' his latest enigma has only been revealed to be about "loner/stranger in Spain who's in the process of completing 'a job' that's most likely illegal." Said loner/stranger is Jarmusch favorite De Bankole getting his first major lead, with Murray playing the villain. We think.
More on 'The Limits of Control':
Focus Features
'The Girlfriend Experience'
Opening: May 22
Starring: Sasha Grey, Chris Santos
What It's About: Shot in 16 days in October of 2008, just before the presidential election, Steven Soderbergh's latest follows Chelsea (Grey, in her non-porn feature debut), a high-end call girl who offers her customers the full "girlfriend experience" -- sex, conversation, intimacy. And to those who think it impossible to capture real intimacy onscreen, there are no "actors" here, quite a bit of improvisation and, reportedly, very little sex.
More on 'The Girlfriend Experience':
Magnolia Pictures
'Away We Go'
Opening: June 5
Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Maggie Gyllenhaal
What It's About: A young couple (Krasinski and Rudolph) expecting their first child travel across the country in search of the perfect place to settle down. It's a nice change of pace for director Sam Mendes, who's better known for dark films ('American Beauty', 'Revolutionary Road') than quirky comedies; but the stellar cast (Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Catherine O'Hara) and lovely trailer give us high hopes, as does the street cred of the screenwriters: husband-and-wife novelists Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida.
More on 'Away We Go':
Focus Features
'Cheri'
Opening: June 19
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Rupert Friend
What It's About: It's Stephen Frears' first film since his acclaimed 'The Queen.' Based on a Colette novel set in 1920s Paris about a courtesan's son (Friend) and the older-woman lover (Pfeiffer) he's forced to leave, 'Cheri' promises to be a delicious, sexy bonbon of a film. If you think you recognize the lead actor, you may know him as Keira Knightley's model-actor boyfriend. Yes, he is more than Keira's arm candy.
More on 'Cheri':
Miramax
'Whatever Works'
Opening: June 19
Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Begley Jr.
What It's About: Woody Allen returns to his beloved New York City after shooting four films abroad to tell the story of, well, himself. Sort of. David plays an eccentric man with a number of bizarre love stories tangling up his life, including one with a much younger woman (Wood). Sound familiar?
More on 'Whatever Works':
Sony
Reader Comments (3)
Rick at 7:59PM on Jun 4th 2009
While I'm very much looking forward to this movie, I got a really big kick out of this article. Kind of nails it.
"Hipster's Head Explodes During 'Away We Go' Trailer"
http://thehollywoodham.com/wordpress/?p=273
bugatech.butternuts at 12:02AM on Jun 27th 2009
I love all of Jim Krasinski's errr John's movies because he is honestly a funny guy. he can make you laugh with a stare grin and a shrug. anyone who can create so many different emotions without saying a word is a great actor to watch. it doesnt hurt that he is really cute either though
Donna at 4:40PM on Jun 9th 2009
'But I'm a pretty boring dude otherwise, so I think people kind of forget that I exist.' So he thinks! Fans of JK will never forget he exists and will always be thankful and glad that HE DOES EXIST!!!
Donna