Unhealthy information for everybody who’s able to clock into Lumon Industries for season 3 of “Severance” — and no, I am not speaking a few delay. Apparently, govt producer Ben Stiller, who’s additionally helmed a number of episodes of the present as a director, will not be directing any episodes within the upcoming third season.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Occasions, Stiller went by means of a laundry listing of initiatives he is engaged on which have taken him away from “Severance” — although it is vital to notice that the profile says he and “showrunner Dan Erickson and the writing workforce have been spending a lot of the 12 months planning season 3 in order that Stiller can step away.” Not solely is Stiller apparently directing a World Battle II film about “the true story of a downed airman in occupied France and the way he acquired concerned with the French Resistance,” however he is additionally engaged on a documentary about his well-known dad and mom — Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, who handed away in 2020 and 2015, respectively — and a brand new TV present for HBO known as “The Band.” Plus, Stiller is jonesing to make a movie utilizing Rachel Maddow’s podcast “Bag Man,” about Vice President Spiro Agnew. Oh, and on prime of all that, he is starring in “Focker-in-Legislation,” a “Meet the Dad and mom” sequel that is set to co-star Robert De Niro and Ariana Grande.
“I am on the level in my life the place I am like, ‘The clock is ticking,'” Stiller instructed interviewer Glenn Whipp, regardless that the 2 had been truly speaking about Stiller’s beloved New York Knicks profitable one other championship. Nonetheless, the topic turned to Stiller’s upcoming sixtieth birthday in November, and the filmmaker and comedy legend made it clear that he is simply very busy.
“60 sounds outdated. It is laborious to get round it,” Stiller admitted to Whipp. “And naturally, it is that different factor of, like, you realize what the subsequent one is.”
“This stuff take time to come back collectively,” he continued, “and the older you get, the extra you understand that you simply solely have a lot time.”
Ben Stiller has directed a lot of Severance to this point, however the present will seemingly be simply high quality with out him
Within the first two seasons of “Severance,” Ben Stiller has type of been the present’s go-to director, particularly for scripts penned by creator Dan Erickson. The collection’ pilot, “Good Information About Hell” — which introduces us to the severed flooring of Lumon Industries by specializing in model new innie Helly R. (Britt Decrease) on her first day of labor — was, certainly, written by Erickson and directed by Stiller, as is the second episode “Half Loop,” which absolutely establishes the present’s logic. (At Lumon, the characters go to work as their innies, who solely exist on the severed flooring, and revert to their “actual life” outies after they go away.) The truth is, Stiller directed all however three episodes of the present’s first season (episodes 4, 5, and 6 had been directed by Aoife McArdle), and he additionally helmed the season 2 premiere “Hey, Mrs. Cobel,” with Erickson as soon as once more writing. Maybe most significantly, Stiller and Erickson teamed up as director and author for the gorgeous season 2 finale “Chilly Harbor.”
I perceive this reads like a Wikipedia web page, however I need to make it fairly clear that Stiller’s absence will be a giant and sure short-term loss for “Severance.” (Who is aware of what his schedule will seem like if and when the present continues right into a fourth season.) Nonetheless, there are a ton of worthy candidates prepared to leap into the director’s chair for season 3. One title I need to particularly highlight is Jessica Lee Gagné, the present’s director of images who directed the gorgeous season 2 episode “Chikhai Bardo,” undoubtedly one of many present’s best-ever hours. Sadly, like Stiller, Gagné is additionally taking a while away from Lumon Industries to work on a feature-length film, however may nonetheless be concerned in some capability. Actually, what I am getting at right here is that “Severance” has loads of sensible artistic minds working behind the scenes, lots of whom might but prove completely gorgeous episodes. We’ll have to attend and see, however I am not that nervous. “Severance” hasn’t let me down but, and Stiller is aware of expectations are excessive — and once more, a brand new class of administrators may find yourself rising from this shake-up.
“Severance” seasons 1 and a couple of are actually streaming on Apple TV+. A premiere date for season 3 has but to be introduced.
