Can you imagine a world where Steve Carell wasn’t our beloved “World’s Best Boss” but instead rocked the mustard-colored shirt and an aggressive beet farm agenda? Yep, the actor recently spilled the beans that if he hadn’t played the painfully cringy yet lovable Michael Scott, he would have loved to play Dwight Schrute.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Steve Carell is a comedic genius, but somehow, Rainn Wilson was just born to play Dwight. So, had The Morning Show star landed the role of Dwight, The Office as we know it, might have crumbled faster than a Dundie trophy in Pam’s hands. Sorry, Carell, but I’m glad fate said, “No! God, please no!” and kept you as Michael Scott!
Steve Carell wanted to play Dwight if not Michael Scott
Imagine Steve Carell, with his signature grin, walking into Dunder Mifflin and declaring, “Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica”. Sounds very wrong and far-fetched right? But it almost happened. According to Carell’s interview with Buzzfeed, the actor noted that had he not played Michael Scott in The Office, he would’ve loved to step into Dwight Schrute’s beet-stained shoes.
I think Dwight was a really fun character. I can’t imagine anybody but Rainn Wilson playing Dwight. I can’t imagine any of the characters being played by anyone else, but I think that’s a fun, crazy character to play.
Now, while Steve Carell as Dwight would’ve been fascinating, it’s hard to imagine anyone pulling off Dwight’s intense paranoia, Jackie Chan moves, and military behavior like Rainn Wilson did. I mean, who else could passionately debate the moral superiority of black bears or serve as Assistant to the Regional Manager with such conviction?
And let’s not forget—Jim Halpert practically gave us a glimpse of what a non-Rainn Wilson Dwight would look like. In one of The Office’s most iconic moments, Jim strolled into work dressed as Dwight, complete with oversized glasses, a mustard shirt, and a perfectly practiced, “Question!”. Naturally, Dwight was not amused and framed it as identity theft.
Thank heavens The Office got their best Michael and Dwight actors
So, I’m glad that Steve Carell didn’t end up with that curious case of identity theft and instead turned every cringe-worthy moment into comedic gold, as Michael Scott. Because let’s be real—The Office without Carell as Michael would be like Kevin without his famous chili, Jim without his pranks, and Creed without… well whatever Creed does.
From accidentally hitting Meredith with his car to declaring bankruptcy (by literally just yelling “I declare bankruptcy!”) Steve Carell as Michael Scott was the heart of Dunder Mifflin. And then there’s Dwight. Rainn Wilson didn’t just play him—he became him. From his passion for martial arts to beet farming, Wilson made Dwight unforgettable.
So I believe that had Steve Carell been Dwight, it might have been fine—but it wouldn’t have been beet-tastic. And let’s not pretend like anyone else could’ve rocked Michael’s Prison Mike bandana or passionately belted out “Goodbye Toby” in broad sunlight. So, as Michael Scott once said, “I am Beyoncé, always”, Carell will forever be our Beyoncé of regional managers.
The Office is available to watch on Peacock.
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