License To Wed : John Krasinski Interview







JOHN KRASINSKI (Ben) AND ROBIN WILLIAMS (Reverend Frank) Q&A

QUESTION: Do you enjoy filming in places like Jamaica?

JOHN KRASINSKI: It’s absolutely a perk. I thought it was a prank for a while. I was like, ‘Come on, we’re not really going to Jamaica, are we? We never did this with the school play.’ No, that was incredible. I was actually thinking about it because I think the other Office cast were on location. Jenna was shooting in Chicago and Rainn was shooting in Vancouver at the time. And they’re like, ‘Oh, man, this is crazy and both great cities.’ I was like, ‘I know. I’m in Jamaica. It’s the worst. This is terrible being in beautiful weather, and on my breaks being able to swim in the ocean. Oh, I don’t know how is this going to work.’

QUESTION: What’s it like be in comedy and get a chance to work with someone like Robin Williams?

JOHN KRASINSKI: I think no matter what you do or where you’re from, working with him is just a real treat and an honor. I mean, in the truest sense, because he does what no else can do. It’s not like you can even learn from him. The things I learned from him were how to be a professional or attempt to be so professional, and being enthusiastic in coming everyday to work. But as far as being quick-witted and snappy like that, there’s only one person who can do it. So, you can’t really say, ‘Oh, I’m going to steal that joke,’ because you’ll never deliver it like him.

QUESTION: Do you go in there with trepidation about trying to make him laugh?

JOHN KRASINSKI: I basically thought that there wasn’t a chance that I can make him laugh. So, I went in there and just tried to do the part of just the laid back guy. And it turned out that we had a blast. I mean, we really improvised together in a way that, to me, was really special. There was one day when we were doing re-shoots in Vancouver and I did this take, that scene where I get hit in the face with a baseball. And it was so funny, he was looking at me and just thinking like, ‘How is he going to do it?’ And I did it a couple of ways. And he laughed really, really hard so that on film, you can hear him laughing. I think they probably took it out. But he was like, ‘That was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on film.’ And I don’t think I was the same person for five days. I was like, ‘That is the greatest moment of my life, the fact that he thought that was funny.’ So, yeah, he’s a really giving person. That’s what’s really bizarre about him, that someone at that level you’d think would just sort of take every scene and drive it. But he’s such a giving person and really appreciates what you do. And it makes you feel special. It makes you kind of go in every day and hit hard.

QUESTION: Did you actually get hit that hard with a ball?

JOHN KRASINSKI: No. I think that one was movie magic. They told me when they were throwing it. So, I did the reaction and they CGI’d the ball in. Sorry, I didn’t really break my nose. You’re like, ‘Why don’t you show a little commitment, Krasinski, for the love of God.’

QUESTION: Not that long ago, before you got your start on The Office, you were an intern on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Is that right?

JOHN KRASINSKI: Yeah. I was still in college, but it was not too long ago. And what’s funny, I think going back on that show as a guest was one of those moments where you realize how fast it has gone. I would sneak into the studio. It was kind of pathetic. I would sneak into the studio with some of the other interns and friends who visited and pretend to be interviewed by him. So, then going on that stage was the most surreal thing and extremely intense. I think I blacked out for like 30 seconds when the curtain opened. I don’t remember much until I sat down in the couch. But, yeah, that was a really incredible experience. Working with him and being an intern, and just being around something like that, I think, is so funny. And then, to go back on the show and hear him say that he thinks what I do is funny, it just doesn’t get better than that. It’s like, with the Robin story. But as far as how fast it’s happened, I’ll be the first to say that I’m the luckiest guy in the world. There’s no denying it. I mean, I think the day that you say, ‘I deserve this,’ it’s over. And we also have great fans of the show. There’s not sort of that gang mentality of just like crazy, overwhelming energy. It’s usually someone will be like, ‘Hey, I love the show.’

ROBIN WILLIAMS JOINS THE Q&A

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Sorry.

JOHN KRASINSKI: No. Come on in. Come in.

JOHN KRASINSKI: Robin, what was it like working with John Krasinski from The Office?

ROBIN WILLIAMS: John Krasinski, I think, is a talented, gifted young man. And Mandy Moore, I’d walk 50 miles in the snow to stand in her garbage. And I don’t see Mandy jumping out of rehab. She’s not playing bumper car with a Bentley. She’s just sweet. And I want more of Mandy if you catch my drift.

JOHN KRASINSKI: Mm hmm.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Because she is just hot.

JOHN KRASINSKI: She is.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Hot in a way that makes me think of, if I was 20 years younger, I’d still be too old for her. But I think John Krasinski is talented. Having grown up in Boston and all, I think he is part of the White Masai, a group of tall Caucasian people raised in Massachusetts to offset the NBA and to actually bring in the spirit of the Celtics.

JOHN KRASINSKI: Yeah, you met Mom and Dad, 6’6”.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Dad, 6’6”, and Mom’s a little woman.

JOHN KRASINSKI: She’s 5’10”.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: 5’10”. Watch out.

JOHN KRASINSKI: Good night, Cleveland.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Good night, Cleveland. Thanks for partying. We’ll be right back, we’re here with Truman Capote.

JOHN KRASINSKI: Thanks guys, that was hard-hitting.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Yeah.