HBO's new comedy series The Franchise dives into the chaos of making superhero movies. Imagine a director working hard on a Marvel-like film, only to find out later that the studio had already decided to shoot a different version behind his back. It seems absurd, but it's based on real stories from the movie industry.
The creators of The Franchise were inspired by the real-life craziness that happens behind the scenes of superhero films. Jon Brown, known for his work on Succession, teamed up with Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes to create this hilarious satire.
Mendes, who directed two James Bond films, shared his experience with The Hollywood Reporter on September 18, 2024, regarding the unpredictable nature of franchise films. The constant changes and random decisions inspired them to create a show that captures this madness. They were surprised by the chaos they uncovered while researching superhero movies.
The real chaos behind superhero filmmaking in The Franchise
Many people think that superhero movies are planned out years in advance. But in reality, they can be just as chaotic as any other production. The Franchise highlights stories where directors receive new script pages on set or where producers juggle multiple versions of the same script. These real-life situations show that even big-budget superhero films aren't as organized as they seem.
One of the wildest stories the creators heard involved a limo pulling up to the set of a superhero movie. The window rolled down, and new script pages were handed to the director. Occasionally, producers would change entire scenes on the spot to accommodate new actors. These moments inspired the ridiculous yet believable situations in The Franchise.
Initially, Mendes and Iannucci considered a spy movie for their show's setting, but they quickly realized that superhero films were a better target. Superhero movies have become a "massive engine" that moves forward no matter what, and the chaos behind these productions made for great satire. Mendes joked that in the U.K., you can't walk five feet without running into an actor who has spent months pretending to fight aliens in a green room.
As the creators developed The Franchise, they sometimes had to dial back the absurdity of the real stories they heard.
“You don’t think people will believe it unless they know it’s true,” Brown explained.
The show strikes a balance between humor and reality, making sure the chaos feels believable.
The plot of The Franchise
The show follows the production of Tecto, a superhero movie about a hero who can create earthquakes. The cast includes an insecure lead actor, Billy Magnussen; an arrogant British actor, Richard E. Grant; a frustrated director, Daniel Bruhl; and an ambitious producer, Aya Cash. However, the show's primary focus is on the first assistant director, Daniel, played by Himesh Patel, who struggles to keep the production from falling apart while managing the egos of the cast and crew.
While most behind-the-scenes shows focus on directors and actors, The Franchise focuses on the unsung heroes of film production, like the assistant directors, script supervisors, and line producers. These people keep the machine running but rarely get the credit they deserve. Mendes says
“The beating heart of the show has more to do with the ADs, PAs, the script supervisors, line producers and crew who actually make films and get no public praise for it"
To which Brown added,
“We wanted to make a show about craft people who are trapped inside a dysfunctional machine, rather than a crew of f**kups who can’t get anything right.”
The show doesn't mock superhero movies but reflects Hollywood's significant problems. One of the most telling moments in the show is when characters film multiple versions of the same scene to keep their options open for post-production. This lack of commitment shows how indecision and corporate pressure can stifle creativity.
Through humor, The Franchise offers a glimpse into a world where everyone, from the director to the assistant directors, tries their best to make something special, even as they navigate the madness of the film industry.
The Franchise will premiere on October 6, 2024.
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