James Spader is in talks to join The Office for Season 8, but not for the role you might think. He will play the CEO of Dunder Mifflin, replacing Kathy Bates' Jo Bennett.

The actor was one of the many guest stars to appear in the Season 7 finale last month, as one of the applicants vying to replace Steve Carell's Michael Scott as Dunder Mifflin's regional manager. Now it seems that James Spader will take on the CEO role, since Kathy Bates is leaving the show to focus on the second season of her NBC series, Harry's Law. Here's what an insider had to say about bringing James Spader aboard for Season 8.

"In the finale, he kicked ass. He was so funny and had this weird energy. We didn't want to pass it up."

While Kathy Bates played more of a recurring character, James Spader's character, Robert California, will be a series regular. It is said that the season will start with Robert California as the regional manager, before quickly moving up the ladder to CEO.

As of now, Michael Scott's position is still open on The Office, and it isn't clear yet who will take over the job quite yet. Production will start on Season 8 of The Office sometime next month.