Bob Odenkirk has opened up about why he believes he lost out on the iconic role of Michael Scott in the US version of ‘The Office’ to Steve Carell. Odenkirk was considered a strong contender during the casting process but ultimately, the role went to Carell.
In a recent appearance on the ‘Office Ladies’ podcast, Odenkirk shared his thoughts on why Carell was chosen over him. “I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy,” Odenkirk explained. “I am oddly earnest, and… it’s one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is the one who got the role.” He continued by saying, “It’s because he’s better at being genuinely fun. I think I bring with me a little bit too much earnest seriousness. And it’s just kinda there. And there’s nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it’s helpful to have that.”
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Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Odenkirk lost out on a role to the ‘Anchorman’ star. However, Odenkirk doesn’t hold any grudges, acknowledging that Carell’s ability to be genuinely fun was a better fit for Michael Scott’s character.
Last year, Odenkirk made a guest appearance in ‘The Bear’ season two and is set to star in director Mike Flanagan’s ‘The Room Returns,’ a remake of Tommy Wiseau’s ‘The Room,’ alongside Bella Heathcote and Greg Sestero.
Odenkirk also spoke candidly last year about his time on Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991. “I was unsure of myself. It was hard. It was existentially dangerous. I had feelings of ‘I should erase myself,’” Odenkirk revealed. He admitted that he was too young when he got hired at SNL, saying, “That was not a good thing. That could’ve gone wrong. That could’ve gone so wrong. It came this close so many times to going so wrong. You gotta believe me. And it’s hard for kids to believe you when you say, ‘I had no clue what I was doing and I was scared outta my wits for years.’”