The narrator of Lumon’s training video in *Severance* Season 2 is none other than Keanu Reeves. However, as Ben Stiller disclosed during a chat on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, the part was first offered to former president Barack Obama—who ultimately turned it down.

“I didn’t ask him directly,” Stiller clarified. “I knew someone who was connected to his lawyer, and they mentioned, ‘If you send an email, I can relay the request.’ So I did.”

To Stiller’s astonishment, Obama replied personally just two days after. “He wrote, ‘Hey Ben, big fan of the show, loved Season 1, can’t wait for Season 2… but I don’t think I can fit this into my schedule.’” Stiller quipped, “I mean, really—what could possibly be more significant than voicing an animated building in *Severance*?” Nonetheless, he conceded it was “pretty cool” to hear back from the former president.

While an Obama appearance would have been legendary, Reeves certainly serves as an excellent substitute.