The creators of '3 Body Problem' offered Barack Obama a cameo after learning he was a big fan. He turned it down in the best way possible.
Barack Obama turned down an offer to appear on Netflix's new sci-fi series "3 Body Problem."
Creators David Benioff and DB Weiss tried to get him for a cameo as he is a fan of the novel.
However, the former POTUS told them he should save himself for a real alien invasion.
It's hard to imagine any actor turning down the chance to work with David Benioff and DB Weiss, two of the most talented and influential writer-producers working in television.
The creative partnership conquered the fantasy genre with "Game of Thrones" and is set to create a new television phenomenon with the highly anticipated, big-budget Netflix series "3 Body Problem," which premieres on March 21.
While the duo, along with co-creator Alexander Woo, have recruited the likes of John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Benedict Wong, and Jonathan Pryce, there was one person they couldn't convince to join the cast.
According to Benioff and Weiss, former president Barack Obama rejected their request for him to make a cameo appearance in the series.
In an interview with USA Today, the pair revealed that they had tried to get Obama involved after learning he was a big fan of the bestselling sci-fi novel on which the series is based.
However, the former POTUS declined the role and provided a "funny note" explaining why.
"It was to the effect of, 'In case there ever is a real alien invasion, I think I should probably save myself for that crisis," Benioff recalled.
Weiss added: "He wants to keep his powder dry in case there's a real thing."
According to the outlet, Benioff and Weiss learned of Obama's love for their new project's source material before developing the television adaptation in 2020.
Speaking to The New York Times in 2017, Obama opened up about his admiration for the apocalyptic sci-fi epic by Chinese writer Liu Cixin, which he called "wildly imaginative."
"The scope of it was immense," he said at the time. "So that was fun to read, partly because my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty — not something to worry about. Aliens are about to invade."
"3 Body Problem" is the most ambitious project from Benioff and Weiss since "Game of Thrones" wrapped with its eighth season in 2019. Obama was also a big fan of that series too and received advance screeners of episodes while in the White House.
Per USA Today, Obama hasn't put in a request to check out "3 Body Problem" early.
Read the original article on Business Insider