Ben Stiller steps back from severance season 3 directing to focus on films documentary and focker sequel

Ben Stiller shifts from directing Severance season 3 to pursue World War II film.

Ben Stiller will not direct episodes in the upcoming third season of Severance as he shifts attention to other projects, according to the Los Angeles Times. While continuing as executive producer, Stiller explained that the demands of a new World War II survival film scheduled for spring production require his full focus.

The Apple TV+ series, which received 27 Emmy nominations this year, remains a priority for Stiller, who has been working closely with showrunner Dan Erickson and the writing team. “Time is valuable,” he said, noting that stepping away from directing duties allows him to pursue long-standing feature film ambitions.

Among those projects is Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, a documentary about his late parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, arriving in October. He is also preparing Focker-in-Law, a new installment in the Meet the Parents franchise, while developing a film adaptation of Rachel Maddow’s podcast Bag Man.

Now approaching 60, Stiller acknowledged that aging has made him more conscious of the limited time available to balance multiple creative goals. “The older you get, the more you realize that you only have so much time,” he told the Times.

Family remains central to his work and outlook. Stiller credits his parents’ long marriage for shaping his views, noting parallels to his own reconciliation with wife Christine Taylor. Both of their children, Ella and Quinlin, are pursuing acting careers.

Though cautious about returning to acting in the Focker sequel, Stiller continues to embrace new challenges. He also hinted at possible casting surprises for Severance Season 3, telling the Times that even Al Pacino has been discussed for a role.