Steve Carell Recalls Paul Rudd Telling Him Not To Take The Office Role

In the new book, “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office“ (h/t Mashable), Steve Carell revealed that Paul Rudd warned him that auditioning for a role on The Office was a “bad move.”

“I remember, before I auditioned, I was talking to Paul Rudd,” Steve Carell said. “I’d never seen the original one and he asked what I was up to. This was right after Anchorman. I told him I was going to audition for the American version of The Office and he said, ‘Ugh, don’t do it. Bad, bad move. I mean, it’s never going to be as good.’ Like what everybody was saying.”

Carell went on to become a major star for his role as Michael Scott and the show went on to become a major hit on NBC after a bumpy start that saw negative comparisons to the British version of the show and disappointing ratings.