HBO Allegedly Paid Gandolfini Not to Take The Office Role, Say Sopranos Co-Stars

A 2011 casting note resurfaced in 2026 through The Sopranos co-stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, who said HBO offered James Gandolfini about $3 million not to take The Office after Steve Carell left, while The Office was reportedly offering around $4 million to lure him for a season. The office-related discussions were also explored by writer Daniel Chun; Gandolfini later pursued other projects before his 2013 death.