Will Harvey Keitel Replace Steve Carell On 'The Office?'

Ever since the rumors were confirmed that Steve Carell will leave his role as Michael Scott on "The Office," everyone's been wondering who will replace him. Rainn Wilson, Ricky Gervais, and Rhys Darby have all been eyed for the role, but now E! Online reports that executive producer Paul Lieberstein is now considering Oscar-nominated actor Harvey Keitel.

"I haven't started any talks with his people, but Harvey would do a great job--a very different energy," Lieberstein told E!, adding that "we don't want to bring in another Michael" out of respect for the character Carell cultivated over the years. Even though he hasn't reached out yet, Lieberstein says he is "absolutely" considering the actor typically known for his dramatic roles to be Dunder Mifflin's new regional manager.

If Lieberstein decides to actually ask Keitel, would he even accept? Having a dramatic actor replace one the silliest bosses on television could put an interesting twist on the show. Tell us what you think in the comments!

Comments

[BlackDemfromNH]

10:47 AM on 09/24/2010

Interesting. I do agree that you cannot try to replace the character of Michael with another bumbling, lovable idiot. Can't go there because Steve Carrell OWNS that role and no one could hope to do what he did. I'm really wondering how they approach the new office manager.

[woody7]

09:52 AM on 09/07/2010

I like HK, but this would be weird.

[mjegan59]

03:55 AM on 09/07/2010

I think they should let the show die - it was already getting close to death last season with Jim and Pam getting married. Maybe hilarity will ensue when they can't get a good babysitter and the kid will be in the office everyday.

But seriously, if they are going to keep it going, then Rhys Darby is perfect. Although Ricky Gervais clearly wants a shot at bookending the show he created. and why not?

[DanoX]

09:08 PM on 09/06/2010

Just let the show die gracefully. Why does American television have to ruin everything by running it waaaaay past it's expiration date, just to squeeze out every last penny they can!?

[gtpeds]

08:24 PM on 09/06/2010

I think this is a brilliant move especially if Harvey Kietel could bring in the persona of the Cleaner from Pulp Fiction.

[Islington80]

06:54 PM on 09/06/2010

Bob Odenkirk would be better...

[Rhubarbarian]

12:53 AM on 09/06/2010

They should go with Rhys Darby.

[owsley]

08:49 AM on 09/05/2010

I like the idea, I think he is one of the few people who could pull this off

[BillyClub]

10:32 PM on 09/04/2010

I hope not. Harvey Keitel is "too" serious for that role. Will Ferrell could pull it off easily.

[jdrourke]

05:52 PM on 09/04/2010

Keitel is a brilliant actor (Bugsy, Fingers, Taxi Driver, Bad Lieutenant), but it does seem like a bit of a bizarre choice.

Makes me think of Ellen on Idol, or Dennis Miller on Monday Night Football...

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/

[ezbreezer]

01:24 PM on 09/04/2010

Great, now full-frontal nudity comes to "The Office".

[topkatnc]

12:37 PM on 09/06/2010

Yeah ... I will never forget him in The Piano ..... never .... not in a million years ...

[Michael Mouton]

07:05 PM on 09/06/2010

Actually, that's funny Pam saw Michael naked in that one episode.

[StarWarsHippie]

12:12 PM on 09/04/2010

I think they should just cancell the office you know in like ten years and a repeat comes on that doesn't have Steve Carell your just gonna change the channel. Think how lame those episodes of That 70's Show are after Topher Grace, and Ashton Kutcher left the show. Replacing a character in a sitcom has only worked once and that is when Kirstie Alley replaced Shelley Long on Cheers.

[HarpoSnarx]

10:52 AM on 09/04/2010

How about Sarah Palin?
She's be perfect for the smirking, plotting, scheming, backbiting, undermining, exploiting, blackmailing, politicing, harrassing, leveraging, winking, spinning, sneering and job killing - just like all offices across the country.

[A Perfect World]

03:50 PM on 09/04/2010

Yah, but it would be difficult to listen to her shrill voice for a full half hour.

[MoeJava]

01:40 AM on 09/05/2010

for that, she'd be overqualified...besides, those corporate types want to pay less and less and less these days... she wouldn't be interested unless it's 100K+
.
keitel would be excellent
.
mr winston: it's a 30 minute drive... i'll be there in 10
.

[StephenJK]

08:33 AM on 09/04/2010

I like it. but, only if they take it in the direction I'm visualizing. Harvey as a super harda*s d-bag boss that everyone wants to conspire against and get out of the office. But, alas, Harvey foils all plans to do him in. I see a lot of comedy there.

[A Perfect World]

03:52 PM on 09/04/2010

Yes, I think that's possible too. He'd be a good straight guy with the right script.

[kikaidaboy]

11:52 PM on 09/03/2010

Thank you Mr. Wolf.