Ben Stiller’s Bold Move: Contacting Barack Obama for a Role in Severance
The highly anticipated premiere of Severance season 2 brought excitement to fans, especially with a memorable cameo featuring Keanu Reeves lending his voice to an animated Lumon building. However, what many may not know is that the John Wick star was not the first choice for this unique role. During his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ben Stiller revealed that he initially reached out to none other than President Barack Obama to see if he would be interested in participating in Severance. This surprising revelation left many fans intrigued, as it showcased Stiller’s ambition and the show’s appeal.
Stiller recounted, “There was one person that I asked before [Keanu Reeves], and he said no: President Barack Obama,” he explained. “I didn’t ask him in person. I knew someone who knew his lawyer. So I wrote an email to him, and like two days later, I get an email back from President Barack Obama, saying, ‘Hey Ben, big fan of the show, love Season 1, can’t wait for Season 2. Don’t think I have time in my schedule to make this happen.’” This candid moment highlights not only Stiller’s connection to high-profile figures but also Obama’s appreciation for the groundbreaking series.
Stiller humorously remarked that he found it hard to believe someone could turn down the chance to voice an animated building in Severance. “What’s more important than doing the voice-over for the animated building in Severance? But it was pretty cool that he responded.” This playful commentary adds a layer of charm to the story, showing that even seasoned actors like Stiller can be starstruck by the former President’s reply.
Severance features Adam Scott in the leading role of Mark Scout, who heads a team at Lumon Industries. This organization has implemented a controversial severance procedure that surgically separates employees’ memories of their professional duties from their personal lives. As a result, this radical experiment aimed at achieving the ultimate work-life balance raises serious ethical questions. Mark soon finds himself entangled in a complex mystery that forces him to reckon with the profound implications of his work and his own identity, making for a gripping narrative that captivates viewers.
The second season of Severance premiered on Apple TV+ in January and has received rave reviews, suggesting it may surpass the first season in quality and depth. Our own Alex Maidy praised the new season, stating, “The second season of Severance does not disappoint and achieves the rare feat of improving upon the debut season,” Maidy noted. “The cast is exceptional, and the direction, led by Ben Stiller doing the best work of his career, improves on what came before it. This is such a rich world that has deepened what the audience knows without sacrificing any quality along the way. Each episode is full of character development that makes you care deeply about what happens to each member of the MDR team and even gives reasons to care about the antagonists as well.” This glowing review reflects the series’ ability to engage audiences while pushing narrative boundaries.
