Imagine Tony Soprano replacing Michael Scott in "The Office". Not only did it almost happen but the thought of such an idea had HBO actually paid James Gandolfini not to do it.
Actor Steve Carrell attends the premiere of 'The Big Short' at Ziegfeld Theatre on November 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Ricky Gervais who played David Brent in the BBC version that inspired Steve Carrel's character in the American version was a guest on the "Talking Sopranos" podcast with Steven R Shrippa and Michael Imperioli.
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It was during their conversation that it was revealed that James Gandolfini had actually been offered a role to replace Carell's Michael Scott as branch manager of the fictional "Dunder Mifflin" when he left "The Office" in 2011.