Premiere - IF : A Night of Magic and Stars at the SVA Theatre Premiere

By Mulder, New York, SVA Theatre, 13 may 2024

Excitement was in the air on the evening of May 13, 2024, as the SVA Theatre in New York hosted the highly anticipated premiere of If, the latest live-action/animated fantasy comedy from the creative mind of John Krasinski. The film, already buzzing with industry anticipation, promises a heartwarming and imaginative journey that will captivate audiences.

The premiere was a glittering affair, featuring a host of stars on the red carpet. John Krasinski, who directed, produced, wrote, and stars in the movie, was present alongside co-stars Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carell, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colon-Zayas, and Bobby Moynihan. The event also saw appearances by notable celebrities such as Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Christopher Meloni, Maya Rudolph, Amy Schumer, and Awkwafina, adding to the evening’s glamour. Producers Allyson Seeger and Andrew Form, executive producers John J. Kelly and George Dewey, and a special appearance by Blue further amplified the star power of the event.

Discover the official red carpet interviews : 

itw John Krasinski

itw Ryan Reynolds 

itw Emily Blunt 

itw Alan Kim 

itw Awkwafina 

itw Bobby Moynihan 

itw Cailey Fleming 

itw Catharine Daddario 

itw Christopher Meloni 

itw Fiona Shaw 

itw Liza Colon Zayas 

itw Matt Damon 

itw Maya Rudolph 

itw Steve Carell 

If is an American live-action/animated fantasy comedy that artfully blends humor, imagination, and heartfelt storytelling. The narrative centers on Bea, a young girl who discovers she has the ability to see everyone's imaginary friends, known as IFs. With the help of her neighbor Cal, who shares this unique gift, Bea embarks on an adventure to reunite these abandoned imaginary friends with their original childhood creators.

The origins of If date back to October 2019, when Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to Imaginary Friends, a project developed by John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds. This acquisition led to the formation of John Krasinski's Sunday Night Productions and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort, both of which signed first-look deals with Paramount. The film's development has been a journey marked by anticipation and excitement, culminating in its star-studded premiere.

Filming for If began on August 31, 2022, and wrapped up in May 2023. Janusz Kamiński, renowned for his cinematographic expertise, served as the director of photography, ensuring that the visual elements of the film are both captivating and enchanting. The visual effects and animation, handled by Framestore, promise a magical viewing experience, while Michael Giacchino's musical score adds an additional layer of emotional depth.

The story centers around Bea and her newfound ability to see IFs. Together with Cal, she sets out to reconnect these imaginary friends with the children who created them but have since forgotten them. The film delves into themes of hope, dreams, and the enduring power of imagination. During CinemaCon 2023, John Krasinski highlighted these themes, emphasizing the film's message of rekindling the beauty and wonder of childhood.

The release of If has generated substantial anticipation, partly due to its unique plot and star-studded cast, but also because of John Krasinski's heartfelt reunion with Steve Carell. Their collaboration was marked by Steve Carell's touching praise for John Krasinski, creating an emotional atmosphere on set. The film's trailers have provided a glimpse into the charming and magical adventure, further fueling excitement.

The film is set for release in France on May 8, 2024, and in the United States on May 17, 2024. It boasts a star-studded ensemble, including Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colon-Zayas, and voices from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell. The plot follows Bea, a young girl, who gains the ability to see imaginary friends abandoned by their childhood creators and embarks on a journey to reunite these friends with their original companions.

The project’s origins trace back to October 2019, when Paramount Pictures won the rights to Imaginary Friends, developed by John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds. John Krasinski's Sunday Night Productions and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort signed first-look deals with Paramount, leading to the creation of If. The film reunites John Krasinski with his former co-star from The Office, Steve Carell, adding an element of nostalgia for fans of the hit show. Filming began on August 31, 2022, and concluded in May 2023, with Janusz Kamiński as the cinematographer. The visual effects and animation, managed by Framestore, promise a captivating visual experience. The film's score, composed by Michael Giacchino, adds another layer of artistry.

The narrative follows Bea, a young girl who unexpectedly gains the ability to see people’s imaginary friends, referred to as IFs. Together with her neighbor, Cal, who shares the same ability, she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect the IFs with their former kids. The movie explores themes of hope, dreams, and the beauty of imagination, as John Krasinski emphasized during CinemaCon 2023. This unique premise sets the stage for a heartwarming and imaginative journey.

The release of If has generated substantial anticipation, partly due to its unique plot and star-studded cast, but also because of John Krasinski’s heartfelt reunion with Steve Carell. Their collaboration was marked by Steve Carell’s touching praise for John Krasinski, creating an emotional atmosphere on set. The film’s trailers have provided a glimpse into the charming and magical adventure, further fueling excitement. With its enchanting premise, stellar cast, and artistic direction, If is poised to be a standout film in 2024, promising audiences a delightful exploration of imagination and childhood dreams.

If was written and directed by John Krasinski. It was produced by John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, Andrew Form, and Ryan Reynolds. The film stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell. The cinematography was done by Janusz Kamiński, and the film was edited by Christopher Rouse and Andy Canny. The music was composed by Michael Giacchino. If was produced by Sunday Night Productions and Maximum Effort, and it will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film’s release date is May 8, 2024, in France, and May 17, 2024, in the United States. The movie has a running time of 104 minutes.

Synopsis :
Bea, a young girl, discovers one day that she can see everyone's imaginary friends. And so begins a magical adventure to reconnect each child with his or her forgotten imaginary friend.

IF
Written and directed by John Krasinski
Produced by John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, Andrew Form, Ryan Reynolds
Starring  Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Steve Carell
Cinematography : Janusz Kamiński
Edited by Christopher Rouse, Andy Canny
Music by Michael Giacchino
Production companies : Sunday Night Productions, Maximum Effort
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : May 8, 2024 (France), May 17, 2024 (United States), 
Running time : 104 minutes