UPDATE: April Fools! NBC isn't making a movie on The Office for Peacock. However, they really should bring back The Office with Michael Scott.
The Office revival is officially coming to NBC's new streaming service, Peacock, in the form of a movie focused on former Dunder Mifflin manager, Michael Scott. Actor Steve Carell portrayed the inept (yet lovable) boss for seven seasons before exiting the NBC sitcom. With the company gearing up to launch their streaming service Peacock later this year, they're continuing to announce content plans to stir up interest.
Since The Office ended in 2013, the sitcom has only grown in popularity due to syndication and streaming. Whereas many shows fall into obscurity, The Office gained an even bigger following and proved how much of an influence the Greg Daniels comedy had on pop culture. Rumors of a possible reboot swirled in recent years and just last September, NBC Universal unveiled their interest in a follow-up project set at Peacock.
Now, NBC has announced that The Office reboot is finally happening. However, rather than focus the paper company in Scranton, Michael Scott will be back in the spotlight. According to the press release, the movie will be titled Michael Scott: Life on the Road. Daniels is back on board for the sequel and Carell will reprise his fan-favorite character for the title set to air sometime in 2021. The official synopsis reads:
Michael Scott traded in his life as the manager of a paper company for a chance at being a family man. After his kids got older, Michael took another chance at making Threat Level Midnight, and it worked. A well-known Hollywood studio turned Michael's work into a big-budget success. Michael is now hitting the road to share his story as part of a speacial Threat Level Midnight press tour. Along the way, Michael reunites with some of his old employees before making it to Scranton, the final stop on the tour.
Michael memorably appeared in The Office series finale for Dwight and Angela's wedding. He originally left Pennsylvania to move to Colorado with his future wife, Holly Flax. In the years that followed, Michael and Holly started a family but another dream of his also came true. The movie's plot synopsis reveals that a Hollywood production of Michael's movie, Threat Level Midnight, actually happened and he's basking in the success.
Following the announcement by NBC, Carell shared the news on his Twitter account, saying he is "over the moon" to be returning to the role. The timing of the announcement sure is interesting after the reveal that the network forced the actor off of the series in 2011. It was previously assumed that Carell exited The Office to pursue other opportunities, specifically in film. Though Carell appeared in several major movies, the actor just made his return to TV in a central role with The Morning Show on Apple TV+. In May, Carell will also star in the Netflix comedy, Space Force. It reunites Carell with The Office series creator Daniels which could have got the ball rolling on this reboot.
It's unclear who will direct the movie and which former co-stars from The Office will join Carell. Many of the show's stars, like John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer, have expressed interest in some type of reboot so expect a slew of familiar faces to return. Peacock could be using the movie to test the waters in terms of interest in more content set in the world of The Office. If it gains enough viewership, which it surely will, the streaming service could potentially order more solo-focused reboots or sequels rather than one primary revival of The Office.
Source: THR, Steve Carell