John Krasinski opens up about how he cast the key voices in 'Imaginary Friends': 'I never dreamt that I would get the cast that I did'

John Krasinski’s ‘Imaginary Friends’ boasts one of the most stellar casts imaginable, and Krasinski acknowledges that this might just be the finest ensemble he’ll ever have the privilege to work with. In his own words, here's what he had to say about this remarkable gathering of talent.
Talking about it, he said, “The voices are so specific, funny, and bright, and have so much emotion to them.I never dreamt that I would get the cast that I did. Every IF has very personal and particular details that correspond with the kid who created them. So, with every IF in the movie, you will get to understand something about their creator – without ever meeting them – because you get to see the specific behaviors and distinctive characteristics of the imaginary friend that they created.”
He shared that he arranged to meet Waller-Bridge there because he is a huge fan. He added, “When Phoebe asked me what I was doing next, I told her I was doing a movie about imaginary friends. As I started writing, only weeks later I called her and asked, ‘Would you ever want to be in the movie because now all I can do is write for your voice. And she said yes.’”
Krasinski is still in awe of the fact that the late actor Louis Gossett Jr. agreed to be in his movie, saying it’s one of his favorite castings. He added, “I still can’t believe that I have Louis Gossett Jr. in my movie, on every level. He was one of my favorite actors growing up and a trailblazer in every sense. So, I wrote the part with him in mind and then he agreed to do it! It was nothing short of surreal to get to work with him.”

‘Imaginary Friends’ stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell alongside many more as the wonderfully unique characters that reflect the incredible power of a child’s imagination. ‘Imaginary Friends’ will be arriving in theaters on May 17.