The Office: Not Steve Carell but two Oscar-nominated actors were the first choice - Did you know?

One of the most talked about and beloved cultural phenomena of all time, across global television, is The Office. An IP that resonates worldwide, regardless of language barriers, it has become a case study in itself. As the show continues to grow and find new audiences, we have been learning more about it over the years. Recently, The Office made headlines when news of a reboot went viral. However, there’s much more to discover. Did you know Steve Carell was not the first choice to play Michael Scott? Yes, that’s a fact and a confirmed one.

Steve Carell Wasn't The First Choice

During the Office Ladies podcast (via People), casting director Allison Jones revealed to The Office co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey that NBC initially wanted big stars to play Michael Scott. She further shared that two Oscar-nominated actors were also considered. She mentioned Patton Oswalt and Bob Odenkirk as well.

Jones said, "I remember vividly the first meeting we had with the network when [creator Greg Daniels] had a list of names, and they were like, 'Let's try Philip Seymour Hoffman. And then, you know, let's go for Paul Giamatti or whatever.' Nobody did TV. Comedy was the bottom of the barrel. This was the first time, other than [casting] Freaks and Geeks, I had the opportunity to get real people who didn't have to be, you know, vaudeville funny or sitcom funny, which is a very difficult thing to be.”

“NBC was more into standups at the time… Nancy Perkins, who was the head of casting at NBC Universal, always knew Steve would be a top choice for this. We brought in the best of the best. Everybody was a different version of Michael Scott that could have worked. Patton Oswalt could have worked. Bob Odenkirk would have been amazing,” she added.

Also Read: The Office reboot in the works? Here’s everything we know so far

Update on The Office Reboot

Just when we had lost hope for a revival of The Office, the “God of the Employees” seems to have answered our prayers, as there is now an update on the progress of The Office reboot. According to recent reports circulating online, it appears that the show is finally moving forward, and the rumors from half a decade ago were not false—they were just taking time to materialize.

We now hear that creator Greg Daniels is actively developing the reboot and moving ahead with the idea. He has started assembling a writer's room for The Office reboot and is working on a fresh perspective for the IP that took the world by storm in the 2000s. This news means we are now one step closer to seeing the reboot idea turn into reality. Fans around the globe will undoubtedly celebrate this day.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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