'Office' star in talks for 'Basterds' role

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- B.J. Novak, who plays temp-turned-executive Ryan on the U.S. version of the U.K. sit-com "The Office," reportedly is up for a role in "Inglourious Basterds."

Novak is also a writer and executive producer for "The Office."

The Hollywood Reporter said he is in talks to play PFC Utivich, a soldier who hails from New York, in the World War II picture Quentin Tarantino is expected to start shooting this fall in Europe.

Novak has previously played small parts in the films "Reign Over Me" and "Knocked Up."