Rainn Wilson On 'The Office': 'Ready, Willing And Able To Move On'

Steve Carell, lead star of "The Office" and Dunder Mifflin boss, is leaving the show after seven seasons -- his final episode is April 28th. While the show is reloading with guest boss Will Ferrell and finale guests Ricky Gervais and Will Arnett, Carell's now-former co-star, Rainn Wilson, isn't so sure the show can survive without Carell.

Speaking to NY Magazine's Vulture blog, Wilson commented on Carell's departure, saying, "It's not like we're besty-best friends hanging out all the time, but it's an incredible loss. That said, we're 148 episodes in, and the show needs some reinvention. Most likely it's the show's downfall, though. I'd say 85 percent downfall, 15 percent brilliant re-creation."

And, when asked whether he'd be okay with the show coming to an end, Wilson said: "I would not object. I'm ready, willing, and able to move on, I'd like to go back to theater. Theater is f***ing hard and time-consuming, and there's not enough time while doing 'The Office' to rehearse and run a play."

Carell is leaving to pursue other projects, such as starring in movies, and in addition, Wilson could do the same. He headlines the upcoming dark comedy "Super," which has been drawing rave reviews, and has toplined movies before. He also appears in the upcoming idie film, "Hesher," with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman.

For more, click over to NY Magazine.com.

Comments

[mheister]

08:35 PM on 04/01/2011

Rainn Wilson's also using his celebrity to help young musicians. He recently appeared in music videos for both Ferraby Lionheart and Andy Grammer.

[wjousts]

11:46 AM on 04/01/2011

It's refreshing to see somebody from the Office giving a no BS assessment of the show and its prospects. I've loved the Office for a long time, but even without Carell leaving the show has "done the Scarn". I'd like to see the brilliant reinvention that leads to many more seasons of great shows, but I think giving that a 15% chance is about right.
And like Wilson, if the show ends, I'm okay with that. It was good while it lasted.

[jaredbrain]

10:45 AM on 04/01/2011

Uhh, Rainn Wilson is disagreeing with you...I'm inclined to believe him.

[tulane-grad]

10:01 AM on 04/01/2011

Don't worry, i'm sure one of the vegas casinos will have an Elton John costume waiting for you.

[cameron d]

09:17 AM on 04/01/2011

Is there a sane person on Earth who doesn't see Carell leaving as the final nail in the coffin of this once funny show?

[mheister]

11:56 AM on 04/01/2011

Have you even considered how strong the rest of the current cast is?

[cameron d]

02:21 PM on 04/01/2011

Haven't you noticed that the show hasn't been funny since the end of the 5th season?

[VariousComplaints]

09:02 AM on 04/01/2011

I really like The Office. I will watch it until it is cancelled or finally pulls its own plug. That being said, its time for The Office to pull the plug. Their plot lines have become ridiculous and the characters repetitive. Of course that is to be expected after 160 episodes. I'm not one of those people to say the British version was better, because they are inherently different, but I enjoyed the Gervais version much more, and stopping after two "seasons" is generally a good thing.

[KDMac]

08:59 AM on 04/01/2011

There's another misleading headline for you. It sounded like Rainn's leaving.

[cameron d]

09:19 AM on 04/01/2011

I just thought from the headline that he was ready to leave, not that he was leaving. He sounds like he is fine with what the show accomplished but wouldn't be terribly sad if it ended.

[joeblow]

07:57 AM on 04/01/2011

I'm sure things will work out for him post-Office. But his enthusiasm about leaving (there's also a piece in Esquire), seems a bit premature in that he's walking into the great (Hollywood) unknown. It might turn out to be a "Diane" from 'Cheers,' or McClain Stevenson on 'M*A*S*H. Both thought their characters would automatically bring them wheelbarrows full of money. Guess what?
But good luck, Dwight Schrute.

[cameron d]

09:20 AM on 04/01/2011

I think he's made enough money to be financially secure for the rest of his life. In the article above he says that he just wants to work on plays, which is not Hollywood big bucks. He might not want all that stardom.

[joeblow]

11:26 AM on 04/01/2011

In order to 'work on plays' it helps to keep your name out in the public eye so that people know you want to 'work on plays.' All I'm saying is that you have to be thoughtful about what you wish for.
Working on the Office for nearly a decade isn't a bad place to bleed for your art. And, the checks always clear.

[mheister]

11:59 AM on 04/01/2011

Neither Shelley Long nor McClain Stevenson built any indie film cred to keep their careers going. Rainn's got Super coming out soon, and Hesher close behind. His career post-Office will be just fine.

[cameron d]

02:22 PM on 04/01/2011

Well Shelley Long was in "Night Shift." That was pretty good...

[O K Ali]

03:57 AM on 04/01/2011

Dwight's best episode is when he had the snowball fight with Jim and filled the parking lot full of snowmen.

[Grace Hulbert]

01:39 AM on 04/01/2011

I love you Dwight Shrute!

[Rozanna]

12:55 AM on 04/01/2011

I first noticed him in Six Feet Under. He played a totally bizarre character.

[nycagnes]

01:59 AM on 04/01/2011

Yes that's right. I totally forgot that. He was a freak on that show.

[catgirl666]

04:40 PM on 04/01/2011

Every one was a freak on that show. I loved that show.

[msstrick40]

12:17 AM on 04/01/2011

I thought Carell was leaving to spend more time with his family??

[ls1z28chris]

11:46 PM on 03/31/2011

You should know that Wilson came out on Twitter and said you're full of it. That this isn't an accurate story, and that it is just fluff designed to get click throughs for ad revenue.

[coblstone]

11:27 PM on 03/31/2011

loved the article until the last words...can we please get a break from her? I used to love her, but they had to kill her (through overexposure)

[slackgeek]

11:14 PM on 03/31/2011

cute little dwight.. we'll see ;)