James Gandolfini was nearly cast as Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) replacement on The Office after Michael Scott left Scranton. NBC reportedly offered him $4 mi

James Gandolfini was nearly cast as Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) replacement on The Office after Michael Scott left Scranton. NBC reportedly offered him $4 million for the role, but HBO paid him $3 million not to take it, helping preserve the legacy of The Sopranos in the process.