'Vengeance': BJ Novak hopes people see him as Ryan from 'The Office' for the rest of his life

'Vengeance', written and directed by BJ Novak, will hit the theatres on July 29

PUBLISHED JUL 13, 2022

'Vengeance' is a black comedy film written and directed by BJ Novak in his directorial debut. The darkly comic thriller is about Ben Manalowitz, a journalist and podcaster who travels from New York City to West Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was hooking up with.

The cast of the movie includes Novak as Ben Manalowitz, Boyd Holbrook as Ty Shaw, Dove Cameron as Kansas City Shaw, Issa Rae as Eloise, Ashton Kutcher as Quinten Sellers, Isabella Amara as Paris Shaw, J Smith-Cameron as Sharon Shaw, Lio Tipton as Abilene Shaw, John Mayer as John, and Zach Villa as Sancholo.

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Who is BJ Novak?

The 'Office' actor was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He attended Newton South High School with future 'The Office' costar John Krasinski, and they graduated in 1997. Novak edited one of the school newspapers, The Lion's Roar, and even co-wrote a satirical play with Krasinski.

He then graduated from Harvard in 2001 and moved to Los Angeles, working clubs as a comedian. His first live stand-up performance took place at the Hollywood Youth Hostel on October 10, 2001. He was named one of Variety's "Ten Comedians To Watch" in 2003. Novak's television acting career began on MTV's 'Punk'd'. He was the lead accomplice to Ashton Kutcher on the show's second season in 2003, playing pranks on Hilary Duff, Rachael Leigh Cook, Usher, and Mýa.

What does BJ Novak have to say about his casting in 'The Office'?

Novak's biggest breakthrough role was Ryan Howard on NBC's hit comedy 'The Office'. During an interview for the Tribeca premiere of 'Vengeance', Novak told Insider, "I hope people see me as Ryan for the rest of my life". "It's a miracle to be associated with something so special," he added.

The stand-up comedian also opened up about his experience directing a film for the first time. "Film has its own glamour to it, its own mythology," Novak told Insider. "And as much as I believe that television is as good as it gets, there is something about movies that just can't be replicated." He continued, "So to step into it, I did feel like I was on hallowed ground every day, on a film set. Every time I said action, I did feel a little sense of awe."

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What is ‘Vengeance’ all about?

The original synopsis reads, "A radio host from New York City attempts to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with and travels down south to investigate the circumstances of her death and discover what happened to her."

'Vengeance' hits theaters on July 29.