B.J. Novak recalls The Office trying to lure James Gandolfini: "He was shy and intrigued"

Vulture

Novak was asked on Watch What Happens Live about the revelation on Talking Sopranos in July that HBO paid Gandolfini $3 million to turn down a role on The Office. "He was shy and intrigued," Novak responded, confirming The Office's interest in the late Sopranos star. “I thought it would be great, because The Sopranos was actually the biggest influence on The Office because of the way that comedy, drama, and character were all completely indistinguishable. The way Michael Scott will say something very serious but mispronounce a word I feel is a direct descendant of the Tony Soprano sense of humor. I thought he would’ve been an incredible replacement. I really, really wanted to work with him.”