John Krasinski on Convincing Execs He Should Direct A QUIET PLACE "Sorry, Is Jim From THE OFFICE Going to Direct This Movie?"

John Krasinski was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive this week, but he will always be Jim Halpert in the hearts of The Office fans everywhere. And while that’s endearing, this is exactly the reason that studio execs were reluctant to take him seriously when he wanted to make the jump from TV star to film director.

During a recent interview with People (via CinemaBlend), Krasinski recalled how he fought to direct the horror film A Quiet Place (2018), which went on to spawn a successful sequel and prequel. While he was originally approached to play the movie's father character, he ended up wanting to go deeper as a writer and director. He explained:

“I read the script it, and it was exactly six weeks after Emily and I had had our second daughter. And I remember my whole world was different and the way I was processing and seeing the world was different.

And it really hit me that if I had an opportunity to write a love letter to my kids it would be this incredible idea that the writers came up with. So I said 'If I can rewrite the script and put my spin on it and direct it, I'll do the movie.' Which is exactly what every producer wants to hear.”

It was becoming a parent that really connected him to the story on a deeper level. Krasinski went on to reveal just how hard it was to convince the Paramount bigwigs that he was the right guy to direct A Quiet Place, especially given his reputation as Jim from The Office.

“They were terrified, and I had to pitch the studio about 54 times before they said yes. And I'm pretty sure someone said 'Sorry, is Jim from The Office going to direct this movie?' And I went 'It's John, but we'll get there. It's fine.' And then they finally let me direct it.”

He must have really sold his vision for the film, because he made it happen, and he made a great movie, and eventually a franchise. He went on to direct A Quiet Place 2, and while he didn't direct or write Day One, he did help develop the prequel's story.

He went on to direct the well-received family film If, which he starred in, and he also acted in several other roles as well since then. We will see him next in the Guy Ritchie-directed film, Fountain of Youth.