- Barack Obama declined voicing Lumon Building in Severance Season 2 role, Ben Stiller approached Obama through a connection with his lawyer.
- Obama praised Severance but cited scheduling conflicts for turning it down.
- Keanu Reeves ultimately voiced the animated building in Season 2.
Ben Stiller, the acclaimed director and executive producer of the Apple TV+ series Severance, recently shared a fascinating anecdote during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
In a lighthearted moment, Stiller revealed that he had once reached out to former President Barack Obama with an unconventional request: to lend his voice to the animated Lumon administrative building featured in a video for the show’s second season. This quirky role, which ultimately went to Keanu Reeves, was envisioned as an integral part of the show’s distinctive narrative approach.
Stiller recounted how he didn’t reach out to Obama directly but instead contacted him through a mutual acquaintance who happened to know Obama’s lawyer. He sent an email introducing the concept of Severance and pitching the idea for the voiceover. To Stiller’s surprise, Obama responded within just two days.
In his reply, the former president praised the show, writing,
“Hey Ben, big fan of the show. Loved season one and can’t wait for season two. Unfortunately, I don’t think I have time in my schedule to make this happen.”
Stiller humorously reflected on this response during the interview, quipping, “I mean, what could possibly be more important than voicing an animated building in Severance?” Despite being turned down, Stiller admitted he was thrilled that Obama took the time to personally respond.
The story also highlighted just how seriously Stiller considered casting for this unique role. He described his shortlist of potential candidates as “very short,” underscoring how deliberate he was in finding the perfect voice.
Ben Stiller offered Barack Obama the role of voice of the Lumon building in ‘SEVERANCE’ but he passed.
“I get an email back from President Barack Obama. ‘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… pic.twitter.com/rNWpyvfc7G
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 4, 2025
While Obama’s involvement would have been an unexpected and exciting addition to the show, Keanu Reeves stepped into the role with his signature warmth and charisma, earning widespread approval from fans of the series.
As Severance continues its second season run, it remains a standout for its inventive storytelling and stellar performances. The next episode is slated for release on March 7, 2025, promising more of the intrigue and creativity that have made it a critical and audience favorite.
Also Read: Adrien Brody Criticized For Long Oscars Speech After Tossing Gum
Last Updated on March 5, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
