The internet's latest fan theory has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. According to a curious Reddit user, the popular Jack Ryan TV series is nothing more than an elaborate prequel to Threat Level Midnight's villain, Goldenface. Yes, you heard that right - John Krasinski's beloved CIA analyst may be a mere footnote in the grand scheme of things. As it stands, the theory has yet to be confirmed by the show's creators, but that hasn't stopped the online community from buzzing about the possibility.
For those who may have missed it, Threat Level Midnight is a made-up action movie created by Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, in the TV show The Office. Carell wrote and directed the entire thing, which was screened during a Season 7 episode. As you might expect, it's a tongue-in-cheek homage to the action genre, filled with over-the-top set pieces and cheesy dialogue. It's the kind of thing you'd expect Michael Scott to make, essentially.
At the center of the plot is Goldenface, the nefarious villain who's out to destroy America. He's played by Jim Halpert - sorry, John Krasinski - who's decked out in gold make-up and a ridiculous costume. According to the fan theory, the Jack Ryan series is merely a prequel to Goldenface's "rise to power." In essence, it's just a convoluted way of saying that John Krasinski could be playing two separate characters that exist in the same universe - a concept that's far from unheard of in the comic book world.
Of course, this is all purely speculation at this point. Despite this, numerous fans have taken to social media to express their excitement at the prospect of a Jack Ryan/Threat Level Midnight crossover. Some have even proposed storylines for how it could all go down. One user suggested that Jack Ryan could be tasked with taking down Goldenface's organization, only to realize that he's fighting a younger version of himself. Another joked that they wanted to see Jim Halpert and Jack Ryan team up to save the world from a common threat.
In truth, the idea of a crossover between the two properties is unlikely. After all, the two shows are wildly different in tone and subject matter. Jack Ryan is a serious espionage thriller, while Threat Level Midnight is a silly, self-aware comedy. Then again, who knows what the writers have in store for us? They may just surprise us all.
Regardless of whether or not the fan theory holds any weight, it's still fun to speculate about the possibility. The fact that it's gained so much traction online shows just how passionate people are about these two fictional universes. Who knows - maybe we'll get lucky and see Jack Ryan throw down with Goldenface in the near future. Regardless of what happens, we'll be sure to keep you updated here at The Wibble.
