Listeners of *The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott* were surprised by a fascinating story involving the iconic director Stanley Kubrick, shared by guest John Turturro.

In the Jan. 15 episode, Stiller, Scott, and Turturro explored *Severance* Season 1, Episode 8, titled “What’s for Dinner?” During their conversation, Turturro commented that the show had a “Kubrickian flair.” He then disclosed an unexpected connection: “I never collaborated with Kubrick. I nearly worked with Kubrick, but I didn’t say the appropriate thing to Stanley.”

It turns out that Kubrick had envisioned Turturro for the role of Nick Nightingale in *Eyes Wide Shut*—a part that was eventually played by Todd Field (*Tár*). Reflecting on his two-hour dialogue with Kubrick concerning the film, Turturro recounted how the director complimented him as a “really wonderful actor.” Feeling bashful, Turturro responded modestly, stating, “I can’t stroll around my home telling my wife that I’m a wonderful actor, or she’ll hit me with a frying pan.” Kubrick, clearly amused, responded, “Well, you are.”

The tale took a funny twist when Kubrick inquired how he could send Turturro the script. Turturro suggested FedEx, to which Kubrick expressed concern, “What if you’re not at home?” Turturro reassured him, explaining, “My FedEx man tosses it over my gate. I know him, his name is Ray.” Kubrick, taken aback, admitted, “That’s unbelievable. Mine doesn’t do that.” Turturro retorted, “Well, do you speak to your FedEx man?” Kubrick replied candidly, “No, I don’t know his name.”

Despite their engaging banter, Kubrick eventually opted not to cast Turturro for the part, citing worries about possible scheduling issues over the following two years. (Interestingly, *Eyes Wide Shut* holds the Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted film shoot, lasting over 15 months.) Reflecting on this missed chance, Turturro confessed, “I probably would have been replaced. Many people were. But I was eager to experience the whole 100-take approach.”

Turturro then tied the narrative back to his involvement with *Severance*. “While I was working on this show, that kept popping into my mind. I never really told you, but I thought, ‘You know what? This is better anyway. I’m better off here.'”

Stiller added a playful remark: “The one choice I ever made that could be favorably compared to Stanley Kubrick is that I hired you.”

*Severance* Season 2 debuts Jan. 17 on Apple TV+, with new episodes coming out weekly.