How Steve Carell Nearly Lost the Role of Michael Scott in The Office

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The forthcoming revival of “The Office” serves as a heartwarming testament to the enduring popularity of this beloved show, now in its 11th year since the sitcom’s conclusion. Undeniably, it graced our screens during the golden age of television, and the cast have left an indelible mark as cultural icons. The exceptional cast of “The Office” was steered by Steve Carell, a fact that a recent EP recalls was planned well in advance. Regrettably, there was a perplexing reason he almost failed to secure the role of Michael Scott.

In the initial run of nine years on NBC’s hit sitcom, Carell portrayed the regional manager at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch for seven seasons. He reappeared as a guest star in the final season. Michael Scott, his character, was a central figure for quite some time, and it’s challenging to envision another actor embodying him so perfectly. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of television’s finest sitcoms, co-creator Greg Daniels shared with The Hollywood Reporter the story behind Carell getting the role, and it turns out that his performance in “Bruce Almighty” played a part: this film may have caught the creators’ eyes.

In our initial considerations for the casting process, Steve Carell stood out as a promising choice due to his exceptional performance in Bruce Almighty. The NBC movie executives had provided Ben with a copy of this film, highlighting Carell’s memorable cameo as a newscaster who was mysteriously influenced by external forces and seemed bewildered by the events unfolding around him. Upon watching it, we were immediately struck by his talent and thought he would be perfect for the role. I was eager to collaborate with Allison Jones, the casting director known for her work on Freaks and Geeks, as I believed she was exceptionally skilled at her craft.

Carrell’s portrayal in “Bruce Almighty,” particularly the scene where Jim Carrey’s character, Bruce, went absolutely mad on live television, is undeniably comical. Therefore, it makes perfect sense why they decided to hire him for “The Office” due to this performance.

Initially, Carell was set for another project when I received the news, leaving the producer in a bind. Needless to say, it was quite disheartening, as Daniels put it.

During the negotiation process, we informed Steve’s team, “Hold tight, we’re keen on this.” However, they accepted an offer from another NBC sitcom, Come to Papa instead. This was quite disappointing. Consequently, we embarked on a prolonged quest to find someone else who could portray the character.

Initially, after several extended periods of auditioning, Bob Odenkirk from “Breaking Bad” was strongly considered for the role. However, this changed when it became known that The Office’s team could potentially cast Carell as Michael Scott, provided he was second choice to “Come to Papa”.

Following the pilot’s shooting, NBC took on “The Office” in 2004 for midseason. Simultaneously, “Come to Papa” was broadcast that summer but was quickly terminated, thereby allowing Carell to dedicate himself fully to “The Office”. Although it’s usually not pleasant to rejoice over a one-season show’s termination, this instance is certainly an exception.

It’s fascinating to know that Steve Carell almost didn’t join “The Office,” as Bryan Cranston was initially considered for the role of Michael. Had Cranston taken it, he might not have become Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad” or led the spinoff series “Better Call Saul.” Fortunately, this alternate timeline never materialized; Carell ended up playing Michael, and “The Office” ran for nine seasons.

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Despite some initial hiccups, it’s worth noting that “The Office” almost didn’t make it past its first six episodes. However, Steve Carell’s role in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” which he filmed concurrently with “The Office,” saved the show from cancellation. With a movie star on board, the NBC sitcom gained momentum and went on to achieve success.

Later on, “The Office” transformed into an ongoing cultural sensation, with increasing numbers of people tuning in via their Peacock subscriptions. It’s astonishing to contemplate what could have been, as it’s challenging to envision the series in any other form.

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2025-03-26 20:37