Severance executive producer and director Ben Stiller revealed that Barack Obama turned down a voice role offer in season 2 of the hit series.
After three years of hiatus, the Apple TV+ series finally returned with a sophomore installment earlier this year, and it has consistently received high praises from critics and audiences as new episodes are airing weekly.
Barack Obama Declined to Do Voice Role in Severance Season 2
During his recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Stiller shared that he offered the voice role of the Lumon Building in the season 2 premiere of Severance to Obama.
"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," he said.
"So I wrote an email to him saying like, ‘Hey we have this show,’ whatever. And like two days later, I get an email back from President Barack Obama."
While the former US president is a "big fan of the show," he politely declined the offer when he responded to Stiller's email as he wrote, "I don’t think I have time in my schedule to make it happen."
Stiller added, "I’m like, what’s more important than doing the voice-over for the animated building in Severance?"
Keanu Reeves Ended Up Being the Voice of the Lumon Building
Keanu Reeves ended up voicing the Lumon Building in the season 2 premiere of Severance. While his work was uncredited, fans immediately recognized his voice when they watched the episode.
"He's just like the most warm and inviting voice. I don’t know if when you see the building and you hear his voice, you necessarily think immediately that it’s Keanu, but then I think you have this just innate feeling," Stiller said.
While the offer to Obama didn't end up coming to fruition, Reeves was still a great choice for the voice cameo role as he has an iconic and recognizable voice that viewers can respond to.
It remains to be seen whether Reeves' voice cameo will lead to a live-action appearance in the future, but at the very least, he was able to join the series even in a small capacity.
Would you have loved to see Obama do the voice role in the series? Let us know in the comments!
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