John Krasinski finally responds to The Office fans who think Jim Halpert is a villain

With a show as popular as The Office, it’s not surprising there are tons of differing opinions out there on the best and worst characters, seasons, episodes, and more. While Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is a favorite for many, there are other characters who don’t get as much love as you’d think. And it seems fans are very split on their feelings for Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer).

While many people think the strain on Jim and Pam’s relationship which begins in season 9 is Pam’s fault, some think it’s all on Jim. And in a new interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, John Krasinski was asked for his thoughts on the idea that Jim Halpert is actually a bad guy. Fallon brought up an article written by Movie Web titled “The Office: Is Jim Really the Villain?” and it certainly took Krasinski by surprise.

You can tell in the video below that Krasinski is uncomfortable with the question, and Fallon even asks, “Did you manipulate Pam?” After a few laughs, Fallon calls Jim Halpert one of the most “lovable” characters, saying that the Movie Web article “so not true” and “garbage.”

Krasinski agrees with a simple “yup,” before making the joke: “They’re onto me because I played it as a supervillain. That’s why I did Fantastic Four — to balance it out. I had already done the villain.”

Is Jim Halpert the villain of The Office?

Watch the full interview with John Krasinski and Jimmy Fallon below.

In case you forgot, Jim and Pam get married in season 6 of The Office, but by season 9 it seems they might not have the happy-ever-after they were hoping for. Jim feels stagnant at Dunder Mifflin and wants to do something new, deciding to start a sports business in Philadelphia and not always being truthful with Pam about it. Meanwhile, Pam says she’s supportive but at the same time wants him to stay in Scranton. They both make mistakes, which definitely makes their relationship seem realistic.

Elsewhere in the interview, Krasinski talks about reuniting with his former Office co-star, Steve Carell, for his upcoming movie Imaginary Friends (If). Krasinski will serve as writer, director, and star of the film, acting alongside Carell, Ryan Reynolds, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Catch Krasinski and Carell back together again when Imaginary Friends comes out in 2024.