John Krasinksi Archives - Big Gay Picture Show

Michael Bay is getting a bit more serious for his next movie, as rather than transforming robots, he’s heading for the very real and deadly events that took place at the US Mission in Benghazi in 2012.

Now he’s starting to put together his cast, as Variety reports that John Krasinski is the first to sign up, with the former Office actor set to play a Navy SEAL in the movie.

The movie is based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s book, which centres on six members of a security team. After the facility came under attack from militants angered about the recently release of a trailer for an Islam-bashing film called ‘Innocence Of Muslims’ and the anniversary of 9/11.

The team fought to defend the lives of the Americans in the compound, although the attack claimed the life of US Ambassador Christopher J. Stevens and a foreign service worker, while two contract workers died in a second attack at a nearby CIA facility.

Chuck Hogan (The Town, The Strain) wrote the screenplay.

It’s certainly something different for Bay, who’s better known for hyperbolic action and explosions in movies where the plot is more than a little ridiculous. Here though he’s dealing with real and very controversial events, and it’s sure many will be watching closely to see how he handles it.

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John Krasinksi is best known as an actor, but he’s also been exploring writing and directing in the last few years. While few people saw his directorial debut – Brief Interviews with Hideous Men – he’s now returning with The Hollars, according to Screen Daily.

He’s also set to star in the film alongside the always excellent Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins and Margo Martindale.

James C Strouse wrote the script which will see Krasinski as ‘John Hollar, who gets yanked from the New York life he shares with his beautiful girlfriend back to his Middle America home town when his mother undergoes brain surgery.

‘Back in the place where his life began, Hollar must navigate the dysfunctional rhythms of his helpless brother, anxiety-prone father and over-eager high school girlfriend.’

The actor turned director comments, “This is one of the best scripts I’ve read, period. Jim has written one of the most tough-minded, sweet, funny and accurate stories about family I’ve seen. I am lucky to have a script like this to direct… and to have this cast is simply surreal.”

The movie will be sold at Cannes later this month.