Keanu Reeves Just Found Out Ben Stiller Originally Wanted His Severance Role To Be Played By Barack Obama, And His Reaction Is A+

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The second season of *Severance* was just as popular as the first, offering both satisfying answers and unexpected turns. A particularly delightful surprise came early on with the introduction of the Lumon building’s voice – it sounds exactly like Keanu Reeves! However, director Ben Stiller originally had a different actor in mind for the role, and his reaction to discovering that first choice was Barack Obama was amazing.

Keanu Reeve’s Severance Role Was Offered To Barack Obama

I was listening to the *New Heights* podcast, and they asked Keanu Reeves about this crazy story Ben Stiller told – apparently, he originally wanted Barack Obama to play the role in the Lumon building! I was shocked to hear Keanu had *no* idea! He just said…

Oh, I didn’t know!

Travis and Jason Kelce had the amusing task of telling Keanu Reeves he hadn’t been the original pick to voice the stop-motion Lumon building.

Many actors are understandably upset when they aren’t the first choice for a role, landing it only after another actor declines. Keanu Reeves, though, doesn’t seem to mind. He admits he briefly felt a little disappointed about not being the original pick, but quickly realized it didn’t matter. He’s simply grateful to have been cast. Reeves explained…

So, Barack must have turned it down first, and I was his backup option. I was a little surprised to hear I wasn’t the first pick, but honestly, I just wanted the job, so it didn’t really matter to me.

Keanu Reeves has often achieved great success even when he wasn’t the first choice for a role. For example, he landed the part in *The Matrix* after Will Smith decided against it. He seems unfazed by being considered a backup option, as many famous roles originated after other actors passed on them.

As a movie buff, I’m really into Apple TV+. It’s $12.99 a month, and they usually offer a 7-day free trial, which is great. Right now, I’m hooked on *Severance* – both seasons are available – and I’m excited to check out anything with Keanu Reeves, so it’s a win-win!

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Ben Stiller Explained How He Wanted Barack Obama In Severance

Back in March, Ben Stiller shared that he’d asked Barack Obama to do the voice-over work that ended up being done by Keanu Reeves. Although Obama enjoys the show and has Apple TV+, he was too busy with presidential duties to participate. Stiller discussed this on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*…

I didn’t reach out to him directly. Instead, I contacted his lawyer through a mutual connection, and the lawyer suggested I send an email with my request. So, I emailed him about our show, and just two days later, I received a reply—from President Obama himself! He said he was a fan of the show, especially Season 1, and was looking forward to Season 2, but unfortunately didn’t have time to participate.

Keanu Reeves was fantastic in *Severance*, and his voice really fit the part. However, it’s hard not to imagine how amazing Barack Obama could have been in the same role.

@newheightshow

Keanu had an incredibly wholesome reaction to finding out he almost lost a role to Barack Obama 😂

♬ original sound – New Heights

There’s a chance Barack Obama might appear in Season 3 of *Severance* if his schedule allows. He’s said he enjoys the show and seems open to the idea. If not, Keanu Reeves is a likely candidate for the role.

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2025-10-17 23:09