Barack Obama turned down Keanu Reeves' role in Severance. The former United States President, 63, was offered a role in the hit AppleTV+ psychological sci-fi thriller series by Ben Stiller — who serves as executive producer and director on the show — as the voice of an animated Lumon building in a film shown to staff in season two.

Ben Stiller said before they turned to Keanu Reeves he asked former President Barack Obama to voice a character in Severance's season two premiere.

After Obama declined, the opportunity went to Keanu Reeves, who recorded multiple takes in Los Angeles. Read on for more

Ben Stiller revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday (March 4) that he offered Obama an uncredited cameo — a voice-over role in the animated version of the Lumon administrative building — but that he politely declined the offer.

The former head of state said he was a "big fan" of the show but didn't have time to take the part, which ultimately went to Keanu Reeves.

Ben Stiller has revealed some of the people he was considering for a role in his popular Apple TV series Severance and it turns out one of those people was the former president.

(CNN) – The second season of Apple TV’s popular show “Severance” came close to having a presidential cameo. Ben Stiller, who is an executive producer and director on the show, revealed to Jimmy Kimmel that he asked former President Barack Obama to appear on the show. Stiller said the role would have been the voice of the Lumon building.

Severance season 2 is currently blowing everyone’s minds after a three year break but it almost did something even weirder than what we’ve seen so far: cast Barack Obama

Severance season 2 almost included a role for the president. Ben Stiller revealed how he asked Barack Obama to voice a role in the Apple TV+ series.

Ben Stiller personally invited Barack Obama to voice a role in Severance Season 2, but he politely declined due to a busy schedule. Instead, Keanu Reeves took the role, delivering a warm but unsettling narration.