Editorial: In Defense of Krasinski
Fri, February 26, 2010 Note: This is an opinion piece and does not reflect the opinions of TMT, its staff, its editors, or anyone but the author, Matthew Fry.
As recently reported on this site and several others, a list of seven scheduled auditions for the coveted role of Captain America has recently become available to the public. The most shocking name on this list, is star of NBC’s The Office, John Krasinski. Like many, when I first heard this news, I was skeptical. I thought, “how the hell can Jim Halpert play Steve Rogers?” However, the more I thought it through, the more it made sense to me. In fact, I don’t think I’ve been this excited about hearing a candidate for a role since news broke that Downey was being considered for Iron Man. Therefore, when the inevitable fan boy bitching that accompanies any casting rumor began, I felt obliged to defend Mr. Krasinski from this ravenous lot.
The first and most common complaint that is accompanying this news is that Mr. Krasinski does not look the part. Firstly, I have always been of the school of thought that acting ability trumps looks. Its why years ago I supported Jude Law when rumors were abound that he was to be cast as the Man of Steel in Wolfgang Peterson’s long defunct World’s Finest adaptation. Its why I supported Leo DiCaprio when rumors were floating around that he would play the first Avenger. Acting ability will always, in my eyes, trump how good the candidates fill out their tights and spandex.
Second, I’d like to contend that Krasinski does have the look to play the role. While he may not be a perfect clone of Cap, Krasinski does possess several of the aesthetic qualities people associate with the role. He has a chiseled, well defined chin and jaw line. He has a wide frame that can easily be toned to match Cap’s body type with a month in the gym. But his face is what really sells me. Krasinski has the perfect face of an all American boy. I like that he has a more average face as opposed to one that looks more in place in a boy band than on a battle field. He may not hold the look of an Olympian god, as the more rabid fans demand, to say that he has no physical qualities which encompass the role is flat out wrong. This can best be proven by Kent, a poster over at the Superhero Hype forums who put this picture together.
If an SHH poster can do it so well, imagine what a little bit of Hollywood makeup and hair dye would do.
Most fan boys have been throwing out names of glorified male models who have held roles on crappy CW shows or NBC melodramas and now call themselves actors (Scott Porter, Michael Cassidy, I’m looking in your direction). However, while they may look the part I strongly question whether they have the talent to carry such a role, to make the audience connect to the character and truly bring him to life.
And that, in my opinion leads us to Krasinski’s true edge over the other six names in contention. His talent as an actor. It is far too easy to write Krasinski off as a sitcom actor. But before we do that, lets look at the sitcom on which Krasinski stars.
The Office is not According to Jim or Two and a Half Men. The Office is a show that actually builds and develops its characters from week to week in order to make them emotionally engaging to its audience. It is what set it apart from the more mediocre sitcoms. After all, every truly great sitcom has emotionally connected to its audience on some level. Shows like Seinfeld and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia fulfill the more sinister needs every person has, the repressed desire to embrace our darker side and be a total ass hole. All in the Family emphasized loving someone despite their flaws, be it a mean, racist old man or a dirty hippie. Sam’s constant pursuit of his ill-fated romance with Diane makes us all reflect upon on our lost loves and relate to Sam.
The Office is no exception. It builds an emotional connection to its audience. And at the heart of that, is not the zanier, funnier characters such as Steve Carell or Ranin Wilson. It is none other than Krasinski. He is the emotional core of The Office. Had Krasinski not been able to connect to the audience and truly make them feel his unrequited love for Pam and empathize with him, the show would’ve failed. His role was the most crucial one of the show. And he knocked it out of the park. He built a character who audiences could relate to and root for. This is shown by the ratings of the episode where Jim finally married Pam (nearly 10 million viewers), he succeeded in making the audience invested in the fate of this character by giving Jim something most sitcom characters lack, depth. That alone shows his true charisma and talent as an actor. Now, if Krasinski can make such an engaging and connecting character on a sitcom, I see no reason he would have any trouble with Captain America.
But if you still have doubts, look at the rest of his resume. Krasinski drew critical praise for his role in Leatherheads. In this film he played a straight laced, charismatic, war hero. Sound familiar? Granted, the movie is a comedy that lacks much depth, but it certainly shows that Krasinski is capable of playing such a role. Furthermore, it shows something far more important, something the likes of Porter and Cassidy have yet to prove. Krasinski can maintain his own presence while on screen with A-list talent. In Leatherheads, Krasinski co-starred with George Clooney and held his own. It is crucial that the actor who play Cap be able to stand out while surrounded by talent such as Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, and Ed Norton. If Krasinski is able to stand out while going toe to toe with Clooney, one of the best actors in Hollywood today, I have no doubt that he can deliver in The Avengers. I have seen nothing from Porter or Cassidy or any of the other names mentioned that implies that they can do the same.
However, both The Office and Leatherheads are examples of comedies, I acknowledge that. If only there were a movie in which Krasinski showed real depth and talent. Maybe something directed by an Academy Award winning director such as…I dunno, Sam Mendes? Perhaps something with a serious script that really let Krasinski thrive as an actor. Wait a tick! There is! Away We Go, is a small, character driven, drama of 2009 which allowed Krasinski to really stretch his legs as an actor and prove that he can show real depth in a more down to earth, serious film. If you have any questions about Krasinski’s abilities as an actor you need look no further than this film.
So, Krasinski, solid actor and despite fan boy objections a man who has the look for the role? So what exactly is the problem people have with this possible choice? I think in the end, fan boys being the fickle bunch they are, simply feel threatened by a non-traditional choice being on the short list for the role. However, consider if you will, that Michael Keaton looked nothing like Bruce Wayne and was widely known for his comedic work prior to Burton casting him as Batman. Hugh Jackman was singing and dancing Aussie on Broadway, furthest thing from a tough, short, Canadian, when cast as Wolverine. Jackie Earle Haley was a washed up child star from the Bad News Bears doing bit parts and indies before landing Rorschach. And of course, the idol of fan boys, Heath Ledger was best known as a teen heart throb and gay cowboy when he was announced as Joker. Sometimes, the best people for roles, are the out of left field choices who really have something to prove. I truly believe the same will be said about Krasinski if he lands the role, and I hope he does, so he can show us all just what he can do.
(photo by MTV)
Reader Comments (3)
The more I think about this, the more I like it. Krasinski would be the perfect Steve Rogers. They can form him to the icon and the uniform. He's by far the best of that candidates list.
Great editorial, and I agree. When I first heard about his possible casting, I had the same knee-jerk reaction as everyone else - "Wha...? Jim Halpert?!" In fact, when someone suggested him for the role a few weeks ago long before this list came out, my response was basically "LOL NO." But now that he's apparently a very realistic possibility, I've actually managed to give it some thought. And the more I think about it, the more I like it. He IS the best actor on the list, and he's the only one who's actually a MAN, not some pretty boy who just recently played a high schooler or someone's kid brother. And therefore, imagining the chemistry with him playing off of the likes of RDJ and Sam Jackson...well, it makes me think The Avengers could really be something special. He never would have been my first choice, but if he is indeed Marvel's choice, then he's a choice I would definitely get behind. Much more so than any of the other supposed candidates from their list.
You fool. Law as Superman = win. Leo as Cap = no. Leo hasn't the frame to fill out jeans adequately much less tights! I'm not saying that The Office guy is ugly. He's not. He doesn't look like Rogers. Long oval face, big nose and enormous jug-handle ears isn't even in the ballpark. You can make all the snarky boy-band comments you like but that's how Captain America is drawn and has always been drawn. His head and facial features will look ridiculous in a Captain America mask! Acting chops are wonderful, yes, but you wouldn't cast Giovanni Ribisi as Greg Louganis! Completely the wrong look, acting be damned.