Ben Stiller’s Wild Casting Choice for Severance—And Why It Didn’t Happen
Ben Stiller had some pretty ambitious casting dreams for Severance Season 2, and let’s just say—things didn’t go exactly as planned. The director revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he had a very unexpected name at the top of his wishlist for a voiceover role: none other than former President Barack Obama.
According to Stiller, he thought Obama would be the perfect person to lend his voice to an animated short film featured in the hit Apple TV+ series. And just like that, a bold email request was sent to the 44th president. But what happened next?
Well, the former POTUS responded but it wasn’t the answer Stiller was hoping for. “I get an email back from President Barack Obama, saying, ‘Hey, Ben, big fan of the show, love season one, can’t wait for season two. [I] don’t think I have time in my schedule to make this happen,’” Stiller shared with Kimmel.
While most people might be crushed by such a high-profile rejection, Stiller seemed to take it in stride. “What’s more important than doing the voiceover for the animated building?” he joked.
With Obama out of the running, Stiller turned to another Hollywood A-lister to fill the spot—and he landed on John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves. The beloved actor voices an anthropomorphic Lumon building in an animated video detailing the “Microdat Uprising” in the show’s second season premiere.
Severance, which stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, and Zach Cherry, has become a major hit for Apple TV+. The show explores a dystopian corporate world where employees undergo a procedure to separate their work and personal selves. With its mind-bending plot and eerie workplace dynamics, it’s no surprise the series has captivated audiences and critics.
After a long three-year break which included script rewrites and reshoots, Severance finally returned in January. The first season earned 14 Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series and Best Director, plus a Peabody Award. With Season 2 already making waves, it’s clear the show is only getting bigger.
Interestingly, despite the show’s intricate twists and turns, Stiller admitted he wasn’t fully prepared for the level of speculation it sparked. “They’re like, ‘So you’re making a mystery,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m like, ‘Oh shit, I’m not prepared for this.’ But what I got out of that was that people don’t want to be led down a path or be messed with. With a show like this, there’s always that question, ‘Do they know where they’re going?’”
Whether it’s Barack Obama politely declining a role or Keanu Reeves stepping in to lend his iconic voice, Severance always keeps fans guessing. And honestly, we wouldn’t want it any other way!
