Ben Stiller Leaves Severance Season 3 Behind for Ambitious WWII Survival Movie
Right when you thought the corporate overlords at Lumon Industries had complete control over their employees, it turns out even Ben Stiller isn’t immune to the pull of real-world priorities. The comedy legend and mastermind behind Apple TV+’s mind-bending workplace thriller has officially stepped away from directing any episodes of Severance season 3. The reasoning is bittersweet.
Why Ben Stiller Is Taking a Creative Break
At 59 years old, Ben Stiller is feeling the weight of “Father Time” breathing down his neck. In a candid interview with the Los Angeles Times, the director didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about mortality. Stiller admitted:
I’m at this point in my life where I’m like, ‘The clock is ticking… 60 sounds old. It’s hard to get around it… And of course, it’s that other thing of, like, you know what the next one is… ‘Oh, s—t.’
Brutal honesty? We respect it. But here’s where it gets interesting – this marks the first time in the show’s run that Ben Stiller won’t be behind the camera for a single episode. Previously, he’d been the steady hand guiding the eerie corridors of Lumon’s severed floor, but apparently, there’s something more pressing calling his name: a World War II survival thriller.
Ben Stiller’s New WWII Project Takes Priority
So what exactly is pulling Ben Stiller away from Mark Scout’s existential workplace nightmare? A combat thriller centered around an airman who gets tangled up with the French Resistance after being shot down in occupied France. Because apparently, we haven’t had enough WWII movies in the past, oh, forever.
Look, we understand – war films are prestigious. They win awards. They make directors feel important. But choosing to abandon the creative helm of one of television’s most innovative shows for yet another “Americans help the French Resistance” story feels kind of like trading a Ferrari for a horse and buggy. Sure, the horse has historical significance, but come on, man.
What This Means for Severance Season 3
Before you start panicking about the show’s quality taking a nosedive, take a deep breath. Ben Stiller hasn’t completely severed his ties with the production (see what we did there?). He’s been working overtime with creator Dan Erickson and the writers’ room to map out season 3 in advance, essentially creating a detailed roadmap for whoever steps into the director’s chair.
This pre-planning approach should theoretically maintain the show’s signature tone and pacing that made the first two seasons so compelling. Think of it like leaving incredibly detailed instructions for a babysitter – except the baby is a complex psychological thriller about corporate mind control… and the babysitter better not mess it up.
Ben Stiller’s Growing Project Portfolio
It’s not like Ben Stiller is sitting around eating bonbons while someone else deals with Lumon’s creepy corporate culture. The guy’s got a packed schedule that would make any workaholic jealous. Besides the WWII film, he’s also working on a documentary about his (real-life) parents called “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” which premieres at the New York Film Festival. Plus, there’s that Meet the Parents sequel brewing in the background.
The man’s clearly trying to diversify his creative portfolio before hitting the big 6-0. Can’t blame him for wanting to tackle different genres and personal projects, even if it means temporarily abandoning the severed employees we’ve grown to love – and fear for.
Will Season 3 Suffer Without Ben Stiller’s Direction?
Here’s the thing that might surprise you: some of the best episodes from seasons 1 and 2 weren’t actually directed by Ben Stiller. There is an incredibly strong writing team, among others, who are adept at supporting Stiller.
It is a little concerning that Stiller is stepping away; we fear that the series will not have that perfect mix of corporate mire, deep psychological thrills, and dark humor. It’s like having all the correct ingredients, but your grandmother‘s cookie recipe doesn’t come out the right way without her perfect touch.
The Bigger Picture for Severance’s Future
The timing is a bit frustrating, primarily because of Severance’s success. Plus, waiting so long between seasons, well, just really sucked. Also, we were right at the precipice of getting to the secrets at the heart of Lumon.
This feels like the moment when you should double down on what’s working, not step back to chase other projects. Yes, mortality is real, and creative fulfillment matters, but there’s something to be said for seeing a groundbreaking project through to its natural conclusion.
The silver lining? Ben Stiller’s involvement in the planning stages means season 3 should still feel cohesive with the previous seasons. Who knows? Maybe some fresh directorial perspectives will bring new energy to the severed floor. Sometimes a change of scenery – even in those windowless Lumon offices – can work wonders.
One thing’s for certain: we’ll be watching very closely to see if the new directors can maintain the delicate balance of corporate dread and human emotion that makes Severance so addictive. Because if they can’t, well, there’s always the severance procedure.
