Not many actors can be deemed glorious enough to replace everything Carrell brought to The Office. However, James Gandolfini is undoubtedly one of them, and fans can only imagine how hilariously he would have transitioned to the show’s mockumentary style.
What’s more, it almost became a reality as well, before HBO butted in and ensured he would never ever visit the Scranton branch, of Dunder Mifflin.
As it turns out, NBC had extended a $4 million deal to James Gandolfini for a season-long stint as Michael Scott’s successor. (NY Post) However, HBO, intent on preserving the legacy of The Sopranos, reportedly paid the late actor $3 million to turn down the role.
At the time, Gandolfini had been several years removed from The Sopranos, which had concluded in 2007. Though he had taken on various acting projects, he had not committed to a major television role.
As it turns out, HBO’s motivation was twofold: they wanted to protect The Sopranos’ legacy and honor their ongoing business relationship with Gandolfini, who was developing The Night Of, a crime drama that eventually premiered in 2016.
Had Gandolfini joined The Office, it would have drastically altered the trajectory of both the sitcom and the actor’s career. Known for his intense and deeply layered portrayal of Tony Soprano, Gandolfini’s stepping into the world of The Office would have presented the writers with some hilarious possibilities.
Needless to say, as can be seen above, when the idea was discussed on Reddit, a fan thought Gandolfini could have been perfect for the casting.
James Gandolfini was the star power The Office needed after Michael Scott’s exit
Michael Scott personified the unique brand of humor that The Office became famous for. Steve Carrell’s character had a consistent ability to say the most bizarre things while maintaining wholesomeness in a manner that has not often been seen on television.
And while Gandolfini would have brought in something different, one can only imagine the kind of unbelievable aura he would have provided to the character of Robert California, the role he was rumored to be in the running for. Gandolfini’s no-nonsense, professional demeanor would have undoubtedly further added to the kind of awkward humor The Office had always aimed for but struggled to maintain once Carrell left.
The show cycled through various replacements, including James Spader’s Robert California, Catherine Tate’s Nellie Bertram, and even a brief stint by Will Ferrell’s Deangelo Vickers. None could recapture the magic that Carell brought to the role, leading to the show’s decline before its eventual conclusion in 2013.
