I Can’t Imagine Anyone But Adam Scott As Severance’s Mark, But Ben Stiller Explained Why He Had To Fight Apple For That ‘Big Swing’ Casting

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As a passionate cinephile, I’d say that among the many reasons to subscribe to Apple TV+, “Severance” stands out as one of the most compelling. After three long years, the second season of this extraordinary series is finally set to air in 2025, and if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that Ben Stiller, the executive producer and director, has assembled an exceptional cast for the show. In fact, Adam Scott, who plays Mark, delivers such a captivating performance that it’s hard to imagine Stiller had to advocate so fiercely to have him on board.

Before his role in “Severance,” Adam Scott was primarily recognized for his light-hearted humor in shows such as the popular “Parks & Recreation.” However, despite its darker tone, Ben Stiller stated to THR that he deliberately cast Scott for “Severance” because of his previous acting roles. In a way, “Severance” can also be considered a workplace comedy from another perspective, according to the director’s statement.

A significant portion of the show is set in the universes of The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Office Space, along with that specific genre. The humor in Dan’s script was rooted in this world but also had an additional depth to it. The casting process was about finding actors capable of handling this unique blend.

In “Severance,” there’s an undercurrent of humor that often stems from its persistent quirks (like those mysterious goats, for instance), rather than traditional joke-telling. Yet, given its setting in a corporate environment, the peculiarities do manage to make a twisted sort of sense.

Initially, the executives at Apple appeared hesitant about Adam Scott spearheading the series ‘Severance’. Scott, in fact, acknowledges this reluctance, describing his casting as a “bold move”. He elaborated on…

At that point, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that Apple wasn’t primarily to blame. Given my reputation as more of a comedian, taking such a significant leap felt quite daring.

Studios generally strive to minimize risk when producing films or TV shows, as the costs are high and potential losses can be significant. To mitigate this, they often resort to tried-and-tested methods, which may involve choosing safer options in terms of castings instead of taking risks.

In this scenario, Ben Stiller found himself in a tough position where he had to persuade Apple to approve the casting of Scott. This could have resulted in significant risks, as it might have jeopardized the entire project. Fortunately, after much persistence, Apple allowed Stiller to make his choice, and ultimately, his decision proved to be correct.

Scott appears deeply appreciative. He mentions that no one has ever taken such a significant risk for him before, as he continues speaking.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, let me tell you, nothing quite compares to what I’ve encountered in the world of entertainment. No one has ever gone above and beyond for me quite like they did.

In a way unlike Adam Scott might have experienced, some other actors indeed faced intense struggles for their roles. For instance, Jon Favreau openly discussed his tussle with Marvel Studios over casting Robert Downey Jr. in the initial Iron Man. Since then, Kevin Feige himself admitted that this was the most significant risk Marvel took within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In essence, it’s fair to say that sometimes, taking a chance can be exceptionally rewarding.

Apart from Adam Scott, there are many others who owe thanks to Ben Stiller for his efforts on behalf of Scott. It’s challenging to envision that ‘Severance’ viewers would be enjoying a superior series if someone else had taken up the character of Mark.

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2025-02-07 01:09