The Office star Rainn Wilson almost didn’t get the chance to take up the role. The sitcom, which premiered in 2005, centers around Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees, as they navigate the often painfully complex world of paper management. With constant turnover in the company’s roster, they have to deal with business concerns and interpersonal communication with the most charmingly stubborn characters in the world. Chief among them is Wilson’s Dwight Schrute, the assistant to the regional manager.
In an interview with Theo Von on YouTube, Wilson revealed that he nearly didn’t get to play Dwight. Check out his quote below, via MovieWeb:
Because he signed on for a pilot for Janeane Garofalo’s show, Wilson might not have had time to participate in The Office with his existing obligations. While the cancelation might have spelled bad news for Garofalo, it launched Wilson into the spotlight, and it’s why he’s been calling for a reboot of The Office.
Why Rainn Wilson Is The Perfect Dwight
From the beginning, Wilson understood precisely what to do with Dunder Mifflin’s most unhinged employee. He is always stern, no-nonsense, and somehow nonsensical, creating an incredible character that has stood the test of time. Even in the midst of Dwight’s prank war with Jim, Dwight maintains his strict demeanor throughout The Office. It’s a testament to Wilson’s skill as an actor.
Wilson has a unique look and energy on screen. It somehow affords the straightforwardness of a straight-man character to the most unhinged character in The Office. Dwight can take part in ridiculous schemes that should drive anyone to laugh, yet Wilson ensures that he maintains a straight face with no reaction at all, even as the other actors seem moments away from cracking up.
It’s hard to imagine what the American version of The Office would look like without Wilson, just as it’s hard to picture it without Steve Carell or John Krasinski. The show managed to put together a stellar cast that elevated their characters to an unprecedented degree. There’s a reason The Office is more popular than ever, and it’s because the cast fully bought in from the start.
Source: Theo Von (via MovieWeb)