Ben Stiller has revealed that Barack Obama was originally offered a role in Severance before Keanu Reeves stepped in.
The former U.S. President, 63, was invited to voice an animated Lumon building in season two of the hit AppleTV+ sci-fi thriller series.
Stiller, who serves as the show’s executive producer and director, revealed the surprising casting detail during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Stiller shared, “There was one person that I asked before [Reeves], and he said ‘no’.”
He then confirmed that the person in question was none other than Obama.
The Zoolander star also explained how the offer came about.
He said, “I didn’t ask him in person. I knew someone who knew his lawyer, and his lawyer said: ‘I can relay the request if you write an email.’”
“So I wrote this email to him saying: ‘Hey, we have this show… whatever.’”
To Stiller’s surprise, Obama responded personally just two days later.
Stiller recalled, “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. Don’t think I have time in my schedule to make this happen.’”
Stiller jokingly questioned what could be “more important” than voicing an animated building in Severance but admitted it was “pretty cool” to get a reply from Obama at all.
With Obama out, the role went to Keanu Reeves, 60.
Stiller also touched upon the John Wick star’s professional approach to the voiceover session.
Stiller said, “We did it like a full-on recording session. He was in LA, I was in New York, but he went into the studio and did multiple takes.”
“He took it very seriously. He’s just like the most warm and inviting voice.”
Severance stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, and Sarah Bock.
The story follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott), a worker at the fictional Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure that splits his work memories from his personal ones.
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