Back in fall 2003, the producers of the NBC remake of the British hit “The Office” were looking for comic actors to work at their fictional paper company. Eventually, the top roles went to relative unknowns Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski and Steve Carell in the star-making role of Michael Scott.

But those actors didn’t just waltz into the roles. They auditioned and competed against a large number of other, equally talented performers for the roles. And in the 10 years since those auditions, many of those actors and actresses have gone on to establish successful careers outside of the friendly confines of the Dunder-Mifflin office in Scranton, Pa. Which is probably why the producers of the recently ended hit felt comfortable releasing their original audition tapes.


The video will be available on the season 9 DVD set, which will be released in September.

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Yes, Rainn Wilson was so good in the role of deluded office schemer Dwight Schrute, but amazingly, he beat out Seth Rogen for the role. Rogen’s breakout role in “Knocked Up” was four years away.

Adam Scott, who has charmed millions on executive producer Greg Daniels’ other NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation,” lost the role of office nice-guy Jim Halpert to Krasinski.


And Kathryn Hahn was midway through her run on the NBC drama “Crossing Jordan” when she auditioned for the role of receptionist Pam Beesley. Hahn stars with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis in the big-screen comedy “We’re the Millers.”

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Bob Odenkirk was already well known to fans of his HBO sketch comedy series “Mr. Show” when he auditioned to play Michael Scott. Carell got the role, but Odenkirk went on to play a very Michael Scott-ish boss in a later episode of the series. And he’s also landed a leading role on the critically acclaimed AMC drama “Breaking Bad.”

And even the minor roles had actors with great talent auditioning. The role of office manchild Kevin, played with a disturbing mix of innocence and base instincts by Brian Baumgartner, could have gone to future Emmy winner Eric Stonestreet. Stonestreet went on to land a starring role on the ABC comedy “Modern Family,” where he’s become a breakout star in the role of Cam.


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