‘IF’ Trailer: John Krasinski’s Live-Action Twist on ‘Monsters Inc.’ Brings Imaginary Friends to Life

John Krasinski didn’t wonder what would happen if he helmed a children’s film. Instead, he up and wrote “If.”

The “A Quiet Place” director is behind Paramount Pictures’ “If,” which follows a girl named Bea (Cailey Fleming) who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends. Later, she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten imaginary friends, “IFs” for short, with their kids. In addition to writing and directing, Krasinskialso plays Bea’s father, with the story including the perspective of an IF named Blue (Steve Carell).

More from IndieWire

• Ruben Östlund Proposes Requiring Licenses to Use Cameras: 'You Need One for a Gun'

• Robert Downey Jr. Likens His Role in 'Oppenheimer' to 'Picking Fly Sh*t Out of Pepper'

Producer Ryan Reynolds also stars alongside Fiona Shaw, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Christopher Meloni, Maya Rudolph, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Keegan-Michael Key, Blake Lively, and Amy Schumer among the many A-listers lending their voices to the animated characters.

The feature also serves as an “Office” reunion between Krasinski and Carell. Krasinski told Total Film that he was “crying all day” working alongside Carell again.

“As much fun as it was to work with him, the most powerful part about it was he came in with the most heartfelt speech about how proud he is of me to be making movies. He said in reading the script, ‘I’m just so honored to be a part of it. I’ll do whatever it takes,'” Krasinski recalled of Carell. “So, when I thought that I would be laughing all day, I was crying all day.”

Krasinski previously admitted that he penned the character Blue with Carell in mind. Blue is the lead IF who helps save all the imaginary friends.

“The truth is, Steve’s one of the most talented people on the planet. So, whether I had ever worked with him before or not, I would’ve been gunning for him because I just had his voice in my head when I was writing Blue,” Krasinski told Entertainment Weekly. “Oh my God, ‘The Office’ reunion we’ve all been waiting for is in it.”

“IF” is a Sunday Night / Maximum Effort Production, with John J. Kelly, George Dewey, and Kimberly Nelson LoCascio executive producing. Actors Reynolds and Krasinski produce along with Allyson Seeger.

“IF” premieres May 17 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Best of IndieWire

• The Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now

• Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 54 Films the Director Wants You to See

• Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.