HBO’s new satire series, The Franchise, developed by Veep creators Armando Ianucci and Jon Brown, and directed by Sam Mendes, appears poised to critique the ongoing superhero movie boom. Despite the genre facing an identity crisis, the creators of the show have gained a deep understanding of what it takes to produce these blockbusters. Their playful approach suggests a genuine care for the genre and some insight into how superhero franchises might rekindle their original appeal.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Brown explained, "It felt more interesting because franchise movies themselves seem to be going through a crisis. There’s a feeling in The Sopranos that you’re seeing a dying way of life; an end-of-empires feeling. That felt like good background for a show that is both a workplace comedy and a satire of this culture; a cash cow recognizing that its best days may be behind it.”
The Franchise is not simply taking aim at the films themselves or their fans, but at the persistent challenges faced by creatives due to executive meddling and the shifting cultural landscape. Mendes highlighted, "It’s not a cynical show. There is a romance to [making movies] and a sense of hope that underpins everything, and Jon has managed to capture that.”
Brown added, “You have to be respectful of these movies and the people that are involved with them, because everyone is trying to do a good job. People may consider these movies formulaic, but if you go to the set of one of these films, everyone is trying their absolute best to make something special.”
Despite their appreciation for the genre, the creators’ extensive research left them with thoughts on how they would handle the superhero franchise model differently. Brown noted, “[In the early days of Marvel] they were able to make editorial and casting choices that were completely their own decisions. I feel like their relationship with their fan base has flipped, where instead of telling fans very confidently, ‘This is the movie and this is our way,’ it seems like they’ve gotten themselves into a position where they’re trying to chase a fan base that was more engaged in the previous phases than it currently is. When you start doing that, you start making decisions from a point of fear. I guess the more you’re bold and fearless in what you’re doing, you have a better chance of making something really special—but that’s very easily said when you have all these corporate pressures. I guess you get to the point where you’ll try anything.”
Hence, audiences should not expect Robert Downey Jr. to make an appearance in The Franchise when it premieres on HBO and Max on October 6.
