Donald Trump almost played the POTUS in 'Sharknado 3,' producers say

President Trump nearly took the role of president of the United States in the 2015 TV movie Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No before launching his successful bid for the office in reality, a report states.

Trump, 71, was in "serious talks" to play the president in the film after Sarah Palin declined the role, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Trump is reportedly friendly with Sharknado star Ian Ziering, 53, who appeared on Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, pre-presidency.

"The Donald said yes," Asylum Productions co-founder David Latt told THR. "He was thrilled to be asked." Ultimately, however, things fell through, and Trump went on to become the actual president, rather than a B-movie one.

The film's producers drew up a contract for Trump and sent it to attorney Michael D. Cohen, whom the FBI subpoenaed this year in connection with its Russia inquiry. However, after several weeks of silence, Cohen reportedly told Latt that "Donald's thinking about making a legitimate run for the presidency" and that "this might not be the best time."

Asylum then gave the role to Mark Cuban, a ratings rival of Trump's due to his role on Shark Tank. Later during the 2016 presidential election campaign, Cuban initially came out as a supporter after Trump's official candidacy announcement but later stumped for Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail.

Cuban's hiring reportedly rankled Cohen, who Latt says threatened to sue over the casting.

"He basically said, 'How dare you? Donald wanted to do this. We're going to sue you! We're going to shut the entire show down.' " Cohen, however, denied any angry correspondence in an interview with THR.