In a new Esquire interview, former “Office” star John Krasinski denied claims that the military and government characters he plays promote conservative politics. Krasinski starred in movies such as Michael Bay’s “13 Hours: The Secret Soldier of Benghazi” and Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan.”
Krasinski said his desire to star in a military film stems from his 11 family members who have or currently serve in the military.
“I have 11 aunts and uncles and cousins who have been in the military or still are in the military. So it was a big thing on my list to get to do a military movie or show or something,” Krasinski told Esquire. He continued to say starring in “13 Hours” was much more about the individuals and the events of the night, not the political ramifications.
“As far as ‘Jack Ryan’ and the CIA, I always say it’s about the people. I’ll always respect people who put their lives on the line for people like me, who they’ve never met,” Krasinski said. “If you start breaking down every single CIA event, do I respect and honor all those? Of course not. Of course not. Do you respect and honor every facet of every single president? Of course not.”
There are longstanding rumors Krasinski is a closeted conservative, despite his determination to remain apolitical. However, according to Esquire, the Boston native co-hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s, D-Mass., senatorial campaign in 2012.
Krasinski shut down rumors about whether he intended for his military messages to be overtly political.
“That narrative is certainly not the narrative I intended to put out there. When people look for something that they want to see, I can’t stop them from a subjective belief in something,” said Krasinski.
The actor and director also denied speculation his film “A Quiet Place” carried conservative undertones as well. The movie heavily focuses on parents sacrificing themselves for their children and the nuclear family, a message which is deemed “conservative” by some in Hollywood.
“I never saw it that way or ever thought of it until it was presented to me in that way. It wasn’t about being, you know, silent and political,” Krasinski said. “If anything, it was about, you know, going into the dark and taking a chance when all hope looked lost, you take, you know, you fight for what’s most important to you. Again, my whole metaphor was solely about parenthood.”
