The Actor Who Refused the Office Role for $3 Million

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The success of adapting The Office from the UK to the US showed that even a simple idea – following the everyday lives of office workers – could become hugely popular worldwide. Moving the setting from a quiet English town to Scranton, Pennsylvania, allowed the American version to run for nine seasons and receive over 40 Emmy nominations, creating a lasting impact.

As a huge fan of the show, I always thought the cast was incredible – seriously, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling, and Rashida Jones were all fantastic. But let’s be real, Steve Carell was the show. His Michael Scott was just brilliantly awkward, and he really drove the comedy in a way that set it apart from the original British version. When he left in 2011, it felt like a huge blow, and you could tell the writers really struggled to find their footing again. It’s wild to think about who almost played Michael, though. Apparently, they considered some major stars like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Stanley Tucci, but they both turned it down. But the craziest “what if” scenario? James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano himself – was seriously being considered for the role! My former co-stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa told me he was in talks to join the Dunder Mifflin team. Can you imagine?!

On the Talking Sopranos podcast, hosts shared that NBC offered James Gandolfini a substantial $4 million to star in a single season of a new show. Surprisingly, HBO then reportedly paid Gandolfini $3 million to decline the offer. Steve Schirripa explained that Gandolfini was seriously considering it because Ricky Gervais was involved and Gandolfini hadn’t worked in a while after The Sopranos ended.

HBO probably stepped in to protect the reputation of their acclaimed show, The Sopranos. Creator Ricky Gervais even wondered if the network paid him to ensure the show’s legacy wasn’t tarnished.

Although James Spader eventually played Robert California, it’s fun to imagine what it would have been like to see James Gandolfini’s powerful character interacting with Dwight Schrute. The world of The Office‘s Scranton branch is back in the spotlight thanks to the new series, The Paper, which premiered in February.

Developed by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, The Paper follows the same documentary crew as they film a struggling newspaper in the Midwest. Starring Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore, the show isn’t a remake, but it takes place in the same universe as the one Michael Scott once led.

The show’s original cast members are all finding success in new projects. Steve Carell recently launched his HBO comedy, Rooster, which critics are enjoying for its witty and dark humor. John Krasinski is filming a Jack Ryan movie, set to release later this year, bringing his version of the character to the big screen. And for fans who still love The Office, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey continue to offer detailed behind-the-scenes stories on their popular and award-winning podcast, Office Ladies.

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2026-02-25 19:45