A recognizable MCU alum grapples with a superhero cinematic universe in the trailer for HBO’sThe Franchise.Hailing fromVeepcreator Armando Iannucci and Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, the upcoming comedy is a natural evolution of the fact that superhero films have been the dominant genre for over a decade. The MCU is potentially on the rebound, with help fromDeadpool and Wolverine. The DCU is experiencing a reboot, while Amazon’s Prime Video is building its own world withThe Boys. HBO is taking a more meta approach to superheros, however, looking at the crew that makes the magic happen.
HBOhas now unveiled the first trailer forThe Franchise,confirming the show will premiere on October 6. It will also stream on Max.
The trailer previews the beleaguered team of a superhero movie, withDaniel Brühl cast as what looks to be the director of the troubled production. Nominated for a BAFTA for his performance in the Ron Howard filmRush, Marvel fans will recognize Brühl for his role as Baron Zemo inCaptain America: Civil WarandThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier.A logline was also released by HBO which is included below:
THE FRANCHISE follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.
What To Know About The Franchise
HBO Examines Superhero Movies
The upcoming series puts its focus solely on the sometimesagonizing process of superhero moviemaking.However,The Franchiseisn’t the first time that HBO has poked fun at superhero movies. The 2022 limited seriesIrma Vep, from director Oliver Assayas, has a recurring joke where Alicia Vikander’s lead character keeps turning down a female Silver Surfer movie even though her team insists that the project is elevated.
Along with Brühl, the cast ofThe FranchiseincludesStation Elevenactor Himesh Patel as Daniel,The Boysstar Aya Cash as Anita,Spacedactor Jessica Hynes as Steph, andAladdin’s Billy Magnussen as Adam. Lolly Adefope, of Hulu’sShrill, also stars along with Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell. Richard E. Grant, an Oscar nominee for his role inCan You Ever Forgive Me?, is another MCU alum in the HBO comedy. The actor, who hasplayed Classic Loki, recurs as Peter.
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Though the ensemble is impressive, the real intrigue may well be the show’s creative team. The idea forThe Franchisecame fromMendes, known for directing1917,American Beauty, and the James Bond filmsSkyfallandSpectre.He directed the pilot and serves as an executive producer alongside Iannucci, who perfectly skewered the world of politics withVeep. Jon Brown, a three-time Emmy-winning writer for his work onSuccession, serves as showrunner on a series that could prove to be a late contender for best of the year.
The Franchise
Cast
The Franchise is a Max original comedy television series that follows a film crew as they document their increasingly chaotic and hectic work on a Superhero film franchise. Acting as a satire on the industry, the show looks to lampoon the process and the sometimes unreasonable expectations of keeping a long-standing franchise alive and kicking.
