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According to Michael Imperioli, who portrayed Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos, James Gandolfini, the iconic lead of the series, was offered an astonishing $3 million not to take on a role in The Office (US). This intriguing revelation surfaced during an episode of the Talking Sopranos podcast, where Imperioli and Steve Schirripa (known for playing Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos) shared this tidbit with The Office creator Ricky Gervais.
Imperioli mentioned that Gandolfini was considered as a potential replacement for Steve Carell on The Office after Carell departed at the end of the show’s seventh season. Schirripa added that they offered Gandolfini around $4 million to take on the role for a season, but HBO intervened and paid him $3 million not to pursue the opportunity.
According to Schirripa, Gandolfini was contemplating accepting the role because it had been some time since The Sopranos had ended. However, HBO executives reportedly stepped in to safeguard the legacy of The Sopranos by compensating Gandolfini to abstain from joining The Office. This move aimed to maintain the integrity and reputation of The Sopranos, widely regarded as one of the greatest TV series ever produced.
While acknowledging Gandolfini’s exceptional acting prowess, many speculate that his inclusion in the comical and absurd setting of The Office might not have been an ideal fit. Moreover, had he taken the role, it would have deprived viewers of James Spader’s portrayal of Robert California, a character often remembered as the “f*cking lizard king.”
In retrospect, this decision likely proved beneficial for all parties involved. Gandolfini’s absence from The Office allowed other actors to step into memorable roles, contributing to the unique charm and success of the series.