HBO orders comedy series The Franchise with Sam Mendes (American Beauty) as director

The Franchise is coming to HBO. The comedy series pokes fun at Marvel movies and other superhero franchises. Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917) directed the pilot. Himesh Patel (Station Eleven), Aya Cash (The Boys), Jessica Hynes (Years and Years), Billy Magnussen (Tell Me a Story (2018)), Lolly Adefope (Ghosts (2019)), Darren Goldstein (Ozark), Isaac Powell (American Horror Story), Richard E. Grant (Dispatches from Elsewhere) and Daniel Brühl (The Alienist) star in the series directed by Mendes (pictured below), Armando Iannucci (Veep) and Jon Brown.



HBO revealed more about the series in the press release below:

"Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming and Head of HBO & Max Comedy Series, announced today that HBO has picked up the comedy The Franchise as a series. Himesh Patel and Aya Cash join previously announced cast members Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl in the half-hour comedy series from Sam Mendes, Armando Iannucci and Jon Brown.

The Story: The crew of a beloved franchise film fights for their place in a fierce and unruly cinematic universe. The Franchise shines a light on the secret chaos in the world of superhero movies, to ask the question - how exactly is the movie sausage made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.

Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & Max Comedy Series quote: “With a deft touch only he can bring, Sam has brilliantly captured the romance and the reality of filmmaking today. Jon is superb at sending up worlds we think we already know. Together, with Armando, they have delivered a truly hilarious comedy ensemble. I can’t wait to see more.”

The regular cast includes Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag, Darren Goldstein as Pat, and Isaac Powell as Bryson. Recurring guest stars include Richard E. Grant as Peter and Daniel Brühl as Eric.

Executive producers are Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown and Julie Pastor for Neal Street Productions; Armando Iannucci for Dundee Productions; Jon Brown and Jim Kleverweis. The pilot is directed by Sam Mendes and written by Jon Brown, who serves as showrunner.

The premiere date of The Franchise will be announced later.