Carell Recalls Rudd Urging Him Against The Office Audition

Steve Carell revealed on a recent episode of Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast that his longtime collaborator Paul Rudd urged him not to audition for the lead role in NBC's American adaptation of "The Office," amid widespread industry doubts about remaking the acclaimed British original.

Carell, who ultimately portrayed the bumbling regional manager Michael Scott from 2005 to 2011, recounted the moment during filming of the 2004 comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." "I remember Rudd pulled me aside and was like, 'Don't do it, man. Don't audition,'" Carell told Poehler. "It was like, 'There is no way.'" Poehler, who hosted the episode, echoed the sentiment, noting that "everyone was like, 'Don't even touch this'" and describing it as a project to avoid "with a 10-foot pole." At the time, Carell was an established supporting actor in films like "Anchorman" and the upcoming "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," while Rudd was known for roles in "Friends" and other comedies. The two had already worked together multiple times, including in "Dinner for Schmucks" years later.

The skepticism stemmed from the cult status of the U.K. version, which aired for two seasons starting in 2001 and...