The Franchise is a satire of the superhero movie-making machine. While superhero blockbusters have become beloved cultural staples, the series takes a critical, humorous look at what happens behind the scenes.
Sam Mendes, an Oscar-winning director known for films like Skyfall and 1917, directed the show’s pilot. The series was written by Jon Brown, who worked on hits like Succession and Veep. It was created by Armando Iannucci, best known for The Thick of It and Veep.
The Franchise release date
The Franchise will premiere on October 6th, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET on HBO, and you can watch it on Max, HBO’s streaming platform. The Franchise focuses on a film crew trying to make a superhero movie that doesn’t have the biggest fan following. It taps into the current superhero craze but adds a humorous, critical twist.
The Franchise plot
The show follows a group of people trying to make a superhero movie that fans don’t love. Behind the scenes, everything is a mess; people are fighting to keep the film afloat as the crew deals with all sorts of disasters. The series looks at how complicated and ridiculous making a superhero film can be. HBO describes the show as a look at the secret chaos behind superhero movies and asks:
How do they make these movies anyway?
The Franchise cast members
The Franchise features a talented cast that includes:
- Billy Magnussen as Adam
- Aya Cash as Anita
- Himesh Patel as Daniel
- Lolly Adefope as Dag
- Jessica Hynes as Steph
- Isaac Powell as Bryson
- Darren Goldstein as Pat
- Ruaridh Mollica as Jaz
- Sandra Huggett as Jaky Wheeler
- Will Rowlands as Jack The Fireman
- John Cummins as Milo
- Geoffrey Austin Newland as Art Super
- Richard E. Grant as Peter
- Daniel Brühl as Eric
- AJ Vaage as Tom
- Alex Gaumond as Justin
- Jennifer Collings as Lo Olsen
- Urs Rechn as DoP Tobias
First look at the teaser trailer of The Franchise
HBO has already released a teaser trailer for The Franchise, giving viewers a sneak peek at the show's wild world and hinting at the chaotic and funny situations the characters encounter.
Having Sam Mendes direct the pilot episode brings extra excitement to the show. Mendes is known for his visually stunning films, and his involvement means the show will have a polished, cinematic feel. Critics and viewers will likely respond positively to The Franchise, especially with its smart writing and hilarious take on superhero filmmaking. The Franchise could become a fan favorite, given HBO’s track record with similar shows.
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