The Untold Truth Of Dwight Schrute

Former Dunder Mifflin paper salesman and assistant to the regional manager Dwight Schrute is loud, intense, and one of television's most memorable dunces. However, even though the titular office's doors have been shuttered for a while now, there's still a lot you might not know about the beet-loving, karate-kicking owner of Schrute Farms.

As difficult as it is to imagine anyone other than Wilson playing Dunder Mifflin Scranton's fire safety chief, it's utterly impossible to contemplate what would've happened if one famous comedian who auditioned for the role had actually gotten it.

In 2013, the final season of The Office was released on DVD, and included in the extras is a short video revealing some of the actors who auditioned for the series. Among other noteworthy surprises, Bob Odenkirk of Better Call Saul fame auditioned for the role of Michael Scott, Kathryn Hahn tried out for Pam, and both John Cho and Adam Scott took a crack at Jim Halpert. But perhaps most surprising of all is that Seth Rogen tried his best to land the part of Dwight Schrute.

What's most fascinating about the clip is how apparent it is that Rogen's Dwight wouldn't have been within a galaxy of the same character Wilson gave us. Reading the same line, Dwight would be obnoxious and condescending, speaking as if he were delivering the lesson to a child. Rogen seems absolutely likable, not very bright, and not at all Schrutish — kind of like Kevin the accountant if he knew a few more factoids and was awake for more of the day.

Throughout the course of The Office, Dwight Schrute both worships Michael Scott and has ambitions for his office. And in one of the many ways in which life imitates art, Rainn Wilson didn't initially audition for the role of assistant to the regional manager. He wanted to be the big dog himself.

#DwightSchrute

Right as Rainn | 0:20
A cast made in heaven | 1:45
The Farm bought the farm | 2:40
Schrute Space | 4:03
The Bassoon King | 5:08