Exclusive: Obama Declined ‘Severance’ Voiceover Before Keanu Reeves’ Uncredited Season 2 Role, Says Ben Stiller

In “Severance,” Keanu Reeves provides an uncredited voiceover for Lumon’s puppet propaganda movie, which the innies view in the opening episode of Season 2. However, someone else was first offered the part.

Stiller disclosed on Monday night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that “there was one person that I asked before [Keanu Reeves], and he said no: President Barack Obama.”

“Severance” director and executive producer Stiller claimed that he offered the offer to the former president through a buddy who is acquainted with Obama’s attorney. “Two days later, I get an email back from President Barack Obama,” Stiller wrote in response to his email outlining the request.

Obama wrote, “Hey Ben, big fan of the show, love Season 1, can’t wait for Season 2,” Stiller recalled. I don’t believe I have enough time in my schedule to accomplish this.

“What’s more important than doing the voice-over for the animated building in ‘Severance’?” Stiller then made a joke to Kimmel. “It was pretty cool that he responded,” he continued.

Fans instantly recognized the “John Wick” star’s “warm, inviting voice,” as Stiller put it, even though Reeves was not given credit as the voice behind the “Lumon Is Listening” video. Stiller went on to say that Reeves recorded several takes of the voice-over in Los Angeles and took the role “very seriously.”

“We always wanted it to be somebody that people have certain associations with, but it also had to be a very warm presence,” creator Dan Erickson of “Severance” previously told Collider of the part. In the setting of this film, the Lumon building is incredibly welcoming, and that specific voice has a heart and a kindness.