Let's face it: James Spader was the only guest star to make a funny impression on the season seven finale of The Office.

Producers reportedly feel the same way, as a source tells Entertainment Weekly the Emmy winner is up for a regular role, but NOT just as branch manager: his character would replace Kathy Bates' Jo of Sabre.

“In the finale, he kicked ass,” the insider said. “He was so funny and had this weird energy. We didn’t want to pass it up.”

No scripts are written and no deal signed, but Spader's Robert California would be introduced in the premiere as the new manager under this plan; he'd then talk corporate into also elevating him to CEO of the company.

“Dwight has never come up with somebody equally powerful and diabolical," teases the source. "With Andy, he could be a real father figure and make life really hard for him once he senses he can manipulate him. Jim reads people really quickly, yet wasn’t sure what to make of this guy.”

What do you think of this scenario? Do you wanna see Spader join the cast?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.