Before Steve Carell became the face of The Office as Michael Scott, the role was hotly contested by a slew of actors. Imagine anyone aside from Carell delivering classic “That’s what she said” lines or awkwardly steering his staff through cringeworthy team-building exercises. Well, that just about happened! The Dunder Mifflin boss wasn’t all the time destined to be Carell’s signature character.
Actually, The Office’s producers had a complete lineup of actors in mind for the role before Carell’s comedic genius won them over. But it surely wasn’t nearly his talent, it was his performance in The 40-12 months-Old Virgin that convinced NBC to maintain the show alive, giving Carell the possibility to shine because the most adorable (and painfully embarrassing) boss on TV. So, who else could’ve been Michael Scott? Let’s dive in!
Paul Giamatti
The name “Paul Giamatti” immediately brings a funny yet grumpy vibe to mind. Giamatti, known for his gruff voice and intense performances, was considered to play Michael Scott, however the role never quite fit his comedic tone. Imagine him attempting to turn “That’s what she said” right into a heartfelt one-liner, it will’ve been more Shakespeare than sitcom. Still, you possibly can’t help but wonder how Giamatti’s awkwardness would’ve translated into Dunder Mifflin madness!
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Are you able to picture Philip Seymour Hoffman as Michael Scott? Well, he was actually offered the role! Hoffman’s depth in dramatic roles made him an unlikely contender for the clueless regional manager. He could’ve brought a darker, more unpredictable flair to Scott’s awkwardness. His take would have been raw and intense, likely causing more emotional chaos than funny chaos, leaving us wondering: would Michael Scott have been more “method” under Hoffman’s direction?
Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. once read for Michael Scott, but his sort of humor was just too edgy for the character. Imagine Scott’s cringeworthy “motivational” speeches mixed with Louis’s dark, self-deprecating humor. They’re awkward but with rather more biting sarcasm. Sadly, Louis was tied up with CBS on the time, so we missed out on the final word awkward combo. Still, we’ll all the time wonder what a stand-up-turned-Dunder Mifflin manager might’ve been like!
Bob Odenkirk
Before becoming Saul Goodman, Bob Odenkirk nearly became Michael Scott. Odenkirk brought a more “tough” and “mean” edge to the role, and though he was hilarious, his darker portrayal was a far cry from Carell’s lovable goof. While Odenkirk’s dry wit and sarcasm could’ve made Scott loads more menacing, it’s hard to assume him pulling off the cringey heart of Michael’s character quite like Carell did.
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight Schrute, didn’t just audition for Michael Scott; he actually gave it a go but admitted he seemed like a “terrible Ricky Gervais impression.” Which, let’s face it, would’ve been a funnier outtake than the actual show. While Dwight is iconic, imagining him as Michael Scott would’ve been unsettling. His crazy energy might’ve been a bit an excessive amount of to administer for a Michael who needed that uniquely awkward charm!
Robert Townsend
Robert Townsend could’ve played Michael Scott with a flair for comedy, but his role would’ve likely skewed more “high-energy” than “awkwardly endearing.” Townsend, known for his comedic chops, may need brought a faster-paced, more manic vibe to the character. While he was definitely funny, his tackle Michael might’ve been an excessive amount of of a stand-up routine, leaving less room for the cringeworthy depth that Carell made famous.
David Arquette
David Arquette as Michael Scott? While Arquette is thought for enjoying quirky characters, his comedic style may need made Michael Scott more chaotic than lovable. Picture the wild energy of Arquette’s earlier roles meshing with the Dunder Mifflin crew, would it not have been funny or simply pure mayhem? Probably the latter. Still, we are able to’t deny Arquette would’ve brought a certain unpredictable weirdness to the role, making Michael Scott much more of a hot mess.
Jason Lee
Jason Lee almost became Michael Scott, bringing his signature quirky humor to the role. Known for My Name Is Earl, Lee’s laid-back, sarcastic style may need made Michael Scott more effortlessly cool than awkwardly cringey. Still, he could’ve delivered the laughs, though possibly with a bit of more of a “too-cool-for-school” twist. Lee’s version might’ve been the chillest of all possible Michaels, but was that the Scott we wanted? Probably not.
Dave Foley
Dave Foley, known for NewsRadio, almost snagged Michael Scott’s role. Foley’s dry, witty humor would’ve made Scott a bit of less awkward and loads more sarcastic. While his timing and delivery were spot-on, would his version of Michael have been as clueless and lovable as Carell’s? Perhaps. But let’s be honest, we’d have missed that special Carell flavor of goofy charm and real self-sabotage that made Michael Scott unforgettable.
Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta, best often called the voice of Homer Simpson, was briefly considered for Michael Scott. Imagine Homer attempting to run Dunder Mifflin, could the bumbling but well-meaning character translate to live-action? Probably not, but Castellaneta’s voice work and slapstick style might’ve brought a novel, zany energy to Michael Scott. We’ll never know, but the thought of Homer Scott has a certain comic appeal.
Mark McKinney
Mark McKinney, considered one of the celebs of The Kids within the Hall, could’ve taken Michael Scott in a more eccentric direction. Known for his oddball characters, McKinney’s portrayal of Michael might’ve been a bit more out-there, bringing weirdness to the forefront. While he could’ve nailed the awkward moments, McKinney’s Scott might’ve been a bit of less heartwarming and more absurd. Still, it’s fun to assume what a Kids within the Hall tackle Michael Scott would’ve been like.
Horatio Sanz
Horatio Sanz, Saturday Night Live’s hilarious solid member, was also within the running for Michael Scott. While Sanz would’ve definitely brought a novel flavor of improvisational humor, would his version of Michael have had that perfect balance of cringe and compassion? Sanz’s quick wit and charm could’ve made Michael Scott funnier, but would it not have worked as a well-rounded character? Probably more fun, but would the center have been there? Unsure.r
Ben Falcone
Ben Falcone, Melissa McCarthy’s husband and comedic genius, was also considered for Michael Scott. Known for his quirky performances and willingness to embrace absurdity, Falcone may need brought a fun, goofy element to Scott’s character. But like others on the list, his version can have leaned an excessive amount of into the slapstick, losing the deeply awkward and sincere vibe that Carell nailed. Still, we might have loved to see him try!
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson, together with his signature laid-back humor and nose-shaped charm, was considered for Michael Scott, though his version can have been less cringe and more cool. Imagine Wilson’s smooth delivery mixed with the chaos of the Dunder Mifflin office, it could’ve been hilarious, but would it not have been as endearingly awkward as Carell’s? Probably not, however it would’ve brought a much-needed breezy charm to the role.
David Koechner
David Koechner, best known for his hilarious supporting roles, might’ve added a bit of more “wild” to Michael Scott’s character. His eccentric, over-the-top comedy could’ve made Scott much more unpredictable. Koechner could have delivered a louder, more boisterous version of Michael, but would which have turned the character into only a walking punchline? Perhaps. Wouldn’t it have been as lovable as Carell’s Michael? Probably not.
Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria, together with his deep voice and masterful comedic timing, almost became Michael Scott. His ability to shift between serious and ridiculous may need given Michael a more cynical edge. Azaria’s version of Scott could’ve been darker and more deadpan, but would it not have had the vulnerability that Carell dropped at the character? Likely, no. But Hank’s comedic chops would’ve definitely added an interesting twist.
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