Steve Carell has recalled how his good friend and fellow actor Paul Rudd advised him against auditioning for the US version of The Office.
The UK version of the sitcom, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant aired from 2001 to 2003. The US outing followed in 2005 and ran until 2013.
Carell, who went on to star in the American series for its nine-season run, explained how Rudd did not believe it would be possible to make a show that was as witty and sharp as the British original.
Speaking to fellow comedian Amy Poehler on this week's episode of her Good Hang podcast, Carell said: "It's funny that you guys all heard, 'Oh, they're doing an American version' and everyone had the same reaction. Rudd pulled me aside and was like, 'Don't do it, man. Don't audition.' He was like, 'There is no way.'"
The Rooster star also recounted a hilarious incident in which he tried to use his fame to play a prank on tourists, but he admitted that no one recognised him.
"One time, and I would never do this, but I thought, 'I'm just going to do it,'" he explained.
"I was in Beverly Hills. I was driving around and a tour bus went by and I thought, 'I'm gonna... I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna wave.' And I went, 'Hey everybody!'"
"Not a person acknowledged. They were like, 'What? Who's that?' and I shrank into this little ball, like, 'Last time I'm ever doing anything like that.'"
The comedy-drama, which is directed by John Carney, was shot in Ireland last summer and centres on a conflict between a rock star and a wedding singer, and the impact it has on both their lives.
Power Ballad is released in cinemas on Friday, 29 May.
