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Producers and distributors heading to Las Vegas for this year’s American Film Market, which runs Nov. 5-10, are betting big that indie action is primed for a comeback.

The AFM was built on action movies — the leading independent film bazaar launched in 1981 at the start of a decade defined by the cinematic stylings of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Segal, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme. But in recent markets, with the headline-grabbing success of breakouts like Neon’s Longlegs and Cineverse’s Terrifier 3, action has taken a backseat to horror.

There will be scares-a-plenty at AFM 2024, but many of the market’s buzziest projects sit squarely in the action space. Even a few that don’t star Liam Neeson, Gerard Butler, Jason Statham or Nic Cage. How buyers respond to this new generation of would-be action stars — Daisy Ridley, Amber Midthunder, Alan Ritchson — will determine who...

Exclusive: Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) and Billy Magnussen (Roadhouse) have been set to star in Steve Pink’s out-there horse racing comedy Chariot.

This sounds a fun one. The synopsis reads: “Paul Rovia, an oversized jockey, seeks redemption after causing a major racing accident that gets him suspended from the sport for two years. Desperate to compete in the Grand National again, Paul teams up with Kate O’Leary and her wild Centaur named Chariot. Paul and Chariot clash at first but eventually form an unstoppable duo, taking the racing world by storm.”

Pink is known for writing Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity and directed Hot Tub Time Machine, About Last Night and most recently The Wheel.

The Exchange is launching worldwide sales on the movie at the upcoming American Film Market. The sales deal was negotiated by Brian O’Shea on behalf of The Exchange and by Lastine Entertainment Lawon behalf of the filmmakers.

Billy Magnussen is used to playing a beefcake. His first big job was on the soap opera As the World Turns. In Into the Woods, his version of Rapunzel’s Prince wore leather pants even when riding a horse. He served as the resident hunk among the ensembles in Game Night and The Big Short. These castings, flattering as they might be, haven’t always reflected the man himself, a classically trained actor who has a Tony nomination (for 2013’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike).

But in his latest role, Magnussen, 39, finally has found something a little more relatable, one that simultaneously fuels his character’s ego and leaves him plagued by self-doubt.

The satirical series The Franchise centers around the ill-fated production of a fictional superhero film whose big-budget snafus (an emergency pro-feminism rewrite, disputes over which actors get the biggest superpowers) poke fun at Hollywood’s IP obsession.

Here’s everything we know about Aladdin 2 ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Disney dropped the bombshell back in 2020: Aladdin 2 was officially a go! Fans were ready for another magic carpet ride after the unexpected 2019 smash-hit success of Guy Ritchie’s live-action remake. But, as the year passed, the sequel’s genie seemed to slip back into the lamp. Are there any updates from Disney? Virtually silent. The excitement? Well, it hit a snag — a few times.

Mena Massoud: The Leading Man’s Frustration

Mena Massoud, who dazzled audiences as Aladdin, wasn’t shy about the project’s rollercoaster ride. “They were trying to get it off the ground for a long time,” he confessed post-2023 strike but then came the gut punch. “It’s been six years since we wrapped the project,” Massoud added resignedly. Despite initial buzz, Aladdin 2 felt like it had slipped into a sandstorm of uncertainty,...

Billy Magnussen is taking time off work while he battles “an unforeseen health concern.”

The 39-year-old actor, who can currently be seen in HBO’s series The Franchise, had just started performances in the Off-Broadway play Sh-t. Meet. Fan. two weeks ago.

Producers for the show, which is being performed at McC Theater, have announced that Billy dropped out of the play and will be replaced by Tony-nominated actor Michael Oberholtzer. The star-studded cast also includes Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, Debra Messing, Constance Wu, and more.

Keep reading to find out more…

“We are grateful for [Magnussen’s] work in the play and wish him a quick recovery,” the producers told Deadline.

The official opening night performance has been moved from October 28 to November 18 to allow Michael time to learn the role.

“In a true only-in-showbiz moment, Tony nominee Michael Oberholtzer answered the 11 o’clock call last night and will be...

Billy Magnussen has left the Off Broadway production of Robert O’Hara’s Shit. Meet. Fan. due to what producers say is “an unforeseen health concern.”

With Magnussen’s departure – he’ll be replaced by Take Me Out Tony nominee Michael Oberholtzer – the opening date for the play at McC Theater has been moved from Monday, October 28, to Monday, November 18.

Previews began Thursday, October 10, and Oberholtzer will take over the role of “Frank” sometime next week. Understudy Jesse Pennington will temporarily step into the role beginning with tonight’s performance.

The production, which also stars Garret Dillahunt, Genevieve Hannelius, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, Debra Messing, Tramell Tillman and Constance Wu, runs through December 15.

In a statement tonight, producers said, “We are grateful for [Magnussen’s] work in the play and wish him a quick recovery.” Additional details about the nature of the health concern were not released.

“In a true only-in-showbiz moment,...

The DC Universe has numerous projects in the pipeline, including a TV series centered on Booster Gold. Currently, we have little information about the show other than its announcement, but James Gunn has stated that just because something is announced doesn’t guarantee it will be released.

A few months ago, credible sources began reporting that Eternals star Kumail Nanjiani was cast in the role, which disappointed some fans who felt he didn’t physically match the character.

This speculation is particularly heightened given that fans have favored actors like Antony Starr and Chris Pratt for the role. Nanjiani has frequently been seen with James Gunn and the Superman cast at various events, fueling further rumors.

Recently, James Gunn shared an image showcasing the confirmed roles for the DC Universe, which included Nanjiani as Booster Gold. When asked if this was a confirmation of Nanjiani’s casting, Gunn responded with a clear “no.

Dcu has plenty of projects in development, just one of many is a TV series focusing on Booster Gold. We know nothing about the show at this point, only that it’s been announced. However, James Gunn recently said that just beacuse something was announced, doesn’t mean it’s going to get released.

A couple of months ago, credible sources started reporting that ‘Eternals’ actor Kumail Nanjiani has been cast in the role. Fans were disappointed since Nanjiani doesn’t physically fit with the role.

Especially in light of the fact that actors such as Antony Starr and Chris Pratt have been put as the favorites for the role by fans. Nanjiani has been often seen with James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman’ at other events which further strengthened the speculations.

A few days ago James Gunn shared an image with all confirmed roles for the Dcu so far,...

Production on Tecto: Eye of the Storm rolls on, but in the latest episode of The Franchise, we are finding out that making the fictional and so clearly not a Marvel-inspired (wink wink) superhero movie can be a multiverse of madness. Titled “The Invisible Jackhammer,” Episode 2 was set on stunt day during the ongoing shoot. With new producer and old fling Anita (Aya Cash) now on location with film-studio bigwig Pat (Darren Goldstein), Tecto‘s First Assistant Director Daniel (Himesh Patel) endured more “wall-to-wall stress,” says Patel. So far, his character has had to deal with hilariously needy leading man Adam (a wonderfully layered Billy Magnussen), prickly villain Peter (Richard E. Grant), and artfully pretentious director Eric (Daniel Brühl), while also dodging the constant threat of the studio head’s unctuous assistant Bryson (star-in-the-making Isaac Powell) and the indifference of his Second Ad Dag (Lolly Adefope). “At the same time...

We present our red carpet interviews for HBO’s The Franchise at the Lff Premiere this evening. The series stars Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl. It was created by Jon Brown, and executive produced by Brown, Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes.

The show is airing on HBO right now. Colin Hart and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.

The Franchise Lff Premiere Interviews

Banner image by Colin Hart.

Plot:

The show depicts a “behind the scenes” look at a film that’s part of a larger superhero film franchise. The series follows the 1st Assistant Director, Daniel, as he deals with the day to day problems working on Tecto: Eye of the Storm, which is a minor film in the franchise compared to the higher priority “team-up” film, Centurios 2.

The...

Walt Disney Studios has announced an official release date for the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie, while sharing a brief new look at everyone's favourite blue alien scurrying across the screen in a new teaser promo

The Mouse House's latest live-action remake is set to arrive on May 23, 2025, pitting it against Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 8. In addition, Freaky Friday sequel Freakier Friday will bow on August 8, 2025.

The original animated Lilo and Stitch focused on a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai who forms a bond with a blue alien called Experiment 626, who was engineered to be a force of destruction. It wasn't considered one of the Mouse House's bigger hits from a box office standpoint, but it remains a very popular entry in Disney's library, having spawned three direct-to-video sequels and a 2003 TV series.

An early synopsis reads: "Lilo and Stitch tells the story of the bond formed between a...

Everyone’s favorite furry, blue alien is getting ready to make his live-action debut in theaters when Disney’s Lilo & Stitch arrives on May 23, 2025! Brazenly, that Memorial Day weekend is the same release window for Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible movie with Tom Cruise. While Lilo & Stitch targets parents and children, Mission: Impossible aims to please older male audiences, creating a divided but competitive box office face-off. Disney announced the release date for Lilo & Stitch alongside a date for its Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis-led sequel, Freakier Friday.

Disney‘s live-action Lilo & Stitch stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo in reimagining the mouse-eared studio’s 2002 animated classic. Other players include Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance, Sydney Agudong, and Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch. The plot focuses on a young, parentless girl who adopts a “dog” from the local pound,...

Disney is making summer 2025 all about ohana.

Two family friendly movies, the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” and the Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan sequel “Freakier Friday,” have been dated for next summer.

“Lilo & Stitch” will hit theaters on May 23, 2025, and “Freakier Friday” will be on Aug. 8, 2025. Both films had a big showing at this year’s D23 Expo, where the title of the “Freaky Friday” sequel and first look at the adorable CGI Stitch were unveiled.

Young actor Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo Pelekai in the remake, which comes 23 years after the original animated movie. Like the first movie, it takes place in Hawaiian and follows Lilo and her big sister Nani as they discover a chaotic blue alien named Stitch.

Sydney Agudong stars as Nani in the live-action version, with Chris Sanders reprising his voice role as Stitch. The cast includes Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba Jookiba,...

Disney has added two high-profile titles to its Summer 2025 slate. The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie will arrive in theaters on May 23, while the comedy sequel “Freakier Friday” will open on Aug. 8.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, “Lilo & Stitch” is a live-action adaptation of the 2002 animated film of the same name, with Stitch rendered using CGI. Chris Sanders, who co-directed and voiced Stitch in the animated film, returns to voice the character this time around with a cast that includes Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere and Courtney B. Vance.

“Freakier Friday” is the sequel to the 2003 comedy remake “Freaky Friday,” which starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as a mother-daughter duo who swapped bodies. The new film is directed by Nisha Ganatra and brings back Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murray from the original, with Julia Butters (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) as Lohan’s daughter.

Disney has just given firm dates to its Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan sequel Freakier Friday and the live-action take of its animated classic Lilo & Stitch for next summer. Lilo & Stitch will open on May 23, 2025, while Freakier Friday is going August 8, 2025.

Lilo & Stich moves onto the Memorial Day weekend where it joins Paramount’s next installment of Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise. Surely, both can share the wealth, with M:i geared toward male adults and the Disney pic toward families.

Newcomer Maia Kealoha plays Lilo in the live-action version of the Hawaii-set 2002 animated pic; the new take was originally developed for Disney+ before shifting to a theatrical release. The cast also includes Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen. Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) directs the film, which follows the relationship between a lonely girl named Lilo and Stitch, an alien engineered...

While there's nothing we can do to stop the growing pile of Disney remakes (as much as we might like to), fans who've made their peace with the Mouse House's new direction do have something to get excited about today. Disney just announced the release dates for two of their...

A new satirical comedy is now streaming on Max that you are not going to want to miss this fall season. Here’s when new episodes of The Franchise will be available to stream.

We know that the fall season is known as the spooky season. Trust me, it’s my favorite time of the year. We can’t plenty of thrilling shows, dramas, true crime, and so many scary movies to watch. And thanks to streaming platforms, we can enjoy all of these from the comfort of our own home. But even fans of the genre need a break in between horrors, and this is why I love that we have The Franchise to turn to!

As much as I enjoy my scary movies and shows, I need a dose of laughs here and there, and after watching the first episode of The Franchise, I can report it fits...

Headgum, the comedy podcast network behind shows such as We’re Here to Help with Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds, Senses Working Overtime with David Cross, Dead Eyes, and Newcomers with Lauren Lapkus & Nicole Byer, announces that Emmy Award winning Lamorne Morris and Kyle Shevrin’s comedy podcast The Lamorning After has joined its award-winning lineup of shows. Additionally, ad sales for The Lamorning After will be facilitated by Gumball, the Headgum-owned marketplace for advertisers to buy host-read ads directly from podcasters .

Each Wednesday, actor and comedian Lamorne Morris and his good friend, writer/director Kyle Shevrin are joined by a rotating cast of celebrity guests to discuss life, relationships, and most importantly, what they did last night. Past guests include Glen Powell, Josh Peck, Raven-Symoné, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone, Billy Magnussen, and more. In the inaugural Headgum episode of the podcast, Lamorne and Kyle chat with Saturday Night director Jason Reitman about the film,...

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The Franchise is a satirical comedy series created by Jon Brown. The latest HBO series is taking us behind the scenes of the production of an unloved superhero film, which is part of a massive franchise. The series revolves around all the chaos and the issues faced by the film crew as they deal with the studio people, idiotic actors, and an aloof director.

The Franchise – Episode Guide (When Will The New Episodes Air?) Credit – HBO

The Franchise consists of eight episodes in total. The satirical comedy series premieres on HBO and Max with its first episodes on October 6 with the rest episodes coming out weekly every Sunday. Check out the full episode guide of The Franchise below:

Episode 1 “Scene 31A: Tecto Meets Eye” – October 6, 2024

Episode 2 “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer” – October 13, 2024

Episode 3 “Scene 54: The Lilac Ghost...

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The Franchise is a satirical comedy series created by Jon Brown. The HBO series revolves around the crew of a little-known franchise movie set in an otherwise extremely popular superhero cinematic universe. The Franchise’s comedy comes from all the chaos generated by the always-on-fire set, idiotic stars, arrogant director, and panic-ridden crew. The Franchise stars Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant, and Daniel Brühl. So, if you loved the satirical comedy, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, and the general chaos in The Franchise here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Episodes (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Showtime

Episodes is a satirical comedy series created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik. The Showtime series follows a British married couple who created an award-winning British...

Things are not super on the set of Tecto: Eye of the Storm.

HBO’s The Franchise premiered on Sunday night, following the crew of the aforementioned, unloved superhero movie, which is currently one-third of the way through a 117-day shoot.

More from TVLineHBO’s <em>The Franchise</em> Moviemaking Spoof Reminded MCU Vet Daniel Brühl of a Certain ‘$#*! Show’ From His PastHBO’s <em>The Franchise</em> Makes Superhero Moviemaking Look Super Silly — And That’s the Point, Says EP Sam MendesThe Voice Recap: Wait... Was Season 26's Winner Really Crowned On Only Night 3 of the Blind Auditions?

The series’ cast includes MCU vet Daniel Brühl as Eric,...

How exactly do massive franchise superhero films come together? Well, “The Franchise” is going to show fans — sort of.

The new series, set to premiere on HBO and Max, is entirely fictional, but it is about a film crew working to put together the next installment in a major superhero franchise. It pokes fun at many real assumptions about these films.

Here’s what you need to know in order to watch new episodes.

What is the release date?

“The Franchise” kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Is it streaming or on regular TV?

Both! The series will premiere on HBO but will also be available to stream on Max.

When do new episodes come out?

New episodes will premiere on Sundays at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. The eight-episode season will release one new episode weekly through Nov. 24th. Here’s how that breaks down:

Episode 1: Sunday, Oct. 6 Episode 2: Sunday,...

It takes more than a village to make a movie; it’s more like a small army. And in the case of “The Franchise,” that army has a lot of faces you’ll recognize.

Streaming on Max and airing on HBO on Sundays, the comedy series tells the story of a film crew working to put together the next installment in a major (fictional) superhero franchise. Along the way, they run into the many hurdles of Hollywood, with the show lovingly poking fun at how real superhero films seem to be made.

Like we said, you’re going to see a lot of familiar actors, some of whom have actually starred in real-life franchises. We’ve rounded them up for you below.

Here’s who’s who in “The Franchise.”

Colin Hutton/HBO Daniel (Himesh Patel)

Daniel is the First Ad on the fictional movie “Tecto,” and he basically keeps things afloat in the series.

Can you imagine the kind of chaos happening behind the scenes during the making of a superhero movie? Well, you don’t have to because “The Franchise” will rip the curtain down and show you. The new HBO comedy series follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie as they battle for their place in the unruly cinematic universe. The 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? “The Franchise” premieres on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 10 p.m. Et on HBO and Max, which you can watch with a Subscription to Max.

How to Watch ‘The Franchise’ When: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 at 10 p.m. Et TV: HBO Stream: Watch with a Subscription to Max. Sign Up $9.99+ / month max.com About ‘The Franchise’

“The Franchise” is an HBO Original comedy series that follows the crew...

Though HBO’s latest comedy is called “The Franchise,” there’s never any doubt which franchise creator Jon Brown has in mind. The beleaguered crew, stressed-out producers and insecure stars of “Tecto: Eye of the Storm” comprise a tiny fiefdom of a sprawling empire. Overseen by an invisible puppetmaster, the master narrative is a jumbled knot of continuity errors. Actors get yanked off the set for a day’s cameo elsewhere on the drab, generic backlot as plot holes demand. Directors and performers with prestigious résumés do time for a paycheck, getting praise for their visionary genius as their every contribution is overruled or ignored. If this IP abomination had a name, it’d be Blah-rvel Cinematic Universe. But of course, it doesn’t need one.

A byproduct of the superhero era has been a slew of (barely) fictionalized laments about what the superhero era hath wrought. “The Boys” has...

From new episodes of current favorites to new series, there’s plenty to stream this weekend and Show Snob is here to be your guide!

There aren’t too many new shows dropping on a streaming platform this week, but that’s okay because we’ve got plenty of recently released episodes to catch up on. For starters, we’ve got the reboot of Scare Tactics on USA Network, hosted by Jordan Peele. This is the perfect series to kick off the Spooky Season. But if you’re not into scary pranks, how about Heartstopper? Love and friendship are never out of style if you ask me. The third season is now streaming on Netflix.

Here are more weekend of Oct. 5 highlights, followed by a detailed list of what’s new, when, and where to stream it if you’d like to just skip to the info!

The Franchise on...

HBO’s The Franchise may forever alter the way you experience a big-budget, IP-driven movie, by revealing just how silly it can be to film such an overblown spectacle.

Premiering this Sunday, Oct.6 at 10/9c and counting two-time James Bond movie director Sam Mendes among its executive producers, The Franchise follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie — Tecto: Eye of the Storm — as they fight for their place “in a savage and unruly cinematic universe.”

More from TVLineThe Franchise: Sam Mendes Told Two MCU Directors to 'Tune In and Have a Laugh' - Grade HBO Spoof's PremiereIs Castle's...

Nicole Kidman might be the hardest-working actor in Hollywood, but does she currently have a fan-favorite show on both Disney+ and Netflix? Well, Joe Locke does. In addition to his turn in the witchy limited series “Agatha All Along,” the young actor reprises his role as Charlie, one-half of “Heartstopper’s” central couple, in the third season of Netflix’s queer coming-of-age drama. In this latest chapter — all eight episodes of which are now streaming — Charlie and Nick (Kit Connor) reach not one, but two romantic milestones in their ever-evolving relationship. Along the way, TV’s most unabashedly sincere show reminds viewers that there is, in fact, still some good in this world. So, as it proudly wears its heart and its emotions on its metaphorical sleeve, “Heartstopper” is the awards contender to watch this weekend.

See What to watch this weekend September 27, 2024: TV awards contenders

However, if you...

After 34 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 15 in the Dceu, and various television series focusing on superhero shenanigans, it’s understandable why some people say they’ve got “superhero fatigue.” Oversaturation is an unfortunate inevitability whenever Hollywood sees dollar signs stacking up. For years, superhero cinema was the cream of the box office crop. While Deadpool & Wolverine is the exception to superhero movies trending downward (for now) in the public interest, the genre remains ripe for parody, and that’s why HBO‘s The Franchise trailer is ready to poke fun at the process of bringing super-powered punching bags to screens.

Here’s the official description of The Franchise: “The crew of an unloved franchise movie fight for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The Franchise 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?...

Laughter was brought to LA! The red carpet premiere for “The Franchise” was held on Tuesday, October 1 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford was there to chat with stars Himesh Patel, Jessica Hynes, Lolly Adefope, Daniel Brühl, Billy Magnussen, and Darren Goldstein – key cast members behind the HBO series. Check out the interviews above.

See ‘The Franchise’ trailer: Superhero movies get the ‘Veep’ treatment from HBO

The half-hour HBO original comedy series 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 secretive chaos behind the walls and world of superhero moviemaking when it all goes bad.

The series stars Himesh Patel (“Station Eleven”) as Daniel, the production’s first assistant director, with Lolly Adefope (“Shrill”) as Dag, his new deputy. Billy Magnussen plays the film’s star,...

The Franchise, HBO’s newest series from Sam Mendes, Armando Iannucci and Jon Brown, takes a satirical look at the behind-the-scenes chaos of creating Hollywood’s big franchises, specifically when it comes to superhero movies.

“There’s so much truth in it you cannot believe it. The crazier it became, the more I felt, yeah, this stuff happens,” joked Daniel Brühl, who stars in the series as the superhero movie’s director, and in real life has played villain Helmut Zemo in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Though the actor explained his personal experience with the MCU was “such a well-oiled machine and there wasn’t that chaos and the absurdity,” Brühl remembered another film “that was a proper shitshow from the day I arrived.”

“I saw my miserable face every evening in the mirror thinking, ‘How am I going to survive this?...

The Franchise arrives on HBO on Sunday night, and the cable network has released a new trailer teasing the satirical comedy series. Jon Brown is behind the series.

Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant, and Daniel Brühl star in the HBO series, which follows a cast and crew as they work to film the latest installment in a superhero movie franchise.

Read More…...

Episodes viewed: 8 of 8

Streaming on: Sky/Now

There’s been no shortage of superhero movies in the last few years — and no shortage of some less-than-heroic behind-the-scenes reports to go along with them, too. So it’s almost surprising it’s taken this long for a show like The Franchise to come along. The brainchild of Armando Iannucci, Sam Mendes and showrunner Jon Brown, this is — like The Thick Of It or Veep — a workplace satire, one that shines a cutting, sharply funny light on cinema’s comic-book craze.

From episode to episode, there is seemingly no limit to the amount of hilariously undignified chaos unfurling on the set of fictional superhero movie ‘Tecto’. Said chaos ranges from garden-variety nonsense — studio interference, late-in-the-day script edits, actors not leaving their trailers for reasons — to the more superhero-specific. Brown’s targets are keenly tuned in this regard, his barbs sharp. From the...

Plot: 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?

Review: HBO has certainly struck gold with The Penguin, once again cementing the cable network as a powerhouse of original series in the age of streaming saturation. But for every great HBO drama, there are iconic comedies that the network has needed since the end of Veep. Blending the insider knowledge of acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes and the biting satirical wit of Armando Iannucci, HBO has their next hit series in The Franchise. Mocking the world of Marvel and other studio intellectual property, The Franchise looks at the behind-the-scenes tension while filming a comic book adaptation. Teasing the conflicting personalities, actor foibles and quirks,...

HBO’s “The Franchise” lives on the edge of chaos. Keeping utter anarchy at bay is a small, dedicated group of unheralded assistant directors and executive producers, but it’s clear from the jump that any sense of control they have over the irrepressible madness of mega-budget studio movie-making is as temporary as it is temperamental. In the opening scene, Dag (Lolly Adefope) walks onto the “Tecto” set for the first time and, like a cog placed into an already-moving machine, slots seamlessly into the frenzied vibes. After a barely acknowledged introduction, she’s running to and fro, helping her boss Daniel (Himesh Patel) avoid one impending disaster after another so they can actually, maybe, for a few seconds even… roll cameras.

They have to diffuse the anxious director, who’s fallen way behind schedule but still refuses to give up any of the 16 set-ups for his “big waterfall scene...

You ever wonder what really goes on during the making of those mammoth superhero movies? The franchise pulls back the curtain to reveal both the hilarity and heartache of blockbuster production.

This new HBO series premiered in October 2024. It offers a comedic look at a day-on-the-job within Maximum Studios—a place churning out comic book films not unlike Marvel. Through the eyes of overworked crew members like assistant director Daniel, the show exposes the absurd demands placed on these movies.

Masterminds behind The Franchise include Armando Iannucci and director Sam Mendes. They crafted a smart, sharp satire exploring both the laughs and less glamorous realities of big-budget filmmaking. Issues like exhausted VFX teams and studio meddling get spoofed in an entertaining yet insightful way.

Beyond mining comedy from superhero tropes, the series also profiles the unsung heroes that bring these films to life. From harried assistants to overcommitted script supervisors,...

HBO will debut a new comedy series on October 6 that gives viewers an inside look at the process of making a big budget superhero movie. The show, called “The Franchise,” follows the cast and crew during production of the fictional film “Tecto: Eye of the Storm.” Creators based the movie within the show on blockbuster franchises from Marvel.

Viewers will see all the challenges that come with blockbuster filmmaking. The comedy examines the chaos on set and the cynicism of those involved. It also shows the absurd things that happen behind the scenes. The story focuses on Daniel, an assistant director who loves the source material.

Producers see the film as a way to advance their careers instead of an artistic work. Other characters have dismissive views of the genre, mirroring concerns about superhero “fatigue” after the massive success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers: Endgame.”

The series satirizes...

From I Love Lucy to The Larry Sanders Show and beyond, writers in the performing arts have always set stories in the world of show business they know so well. (Even Hamlet makes a pretty memorable scene out of the titular character trying his hand at directing.) Naturally, with superhero movies crowding out all other genres, the process of making them is a target fit not just for fictional dramatization, but for savage mockery. Depending on whether you’ve ever added up how much you’ve spent on tickets to predictable movies about deeply mid comic book characters, you might think HBO’s new satire The Franchise — from some of England’s most eloquent and gifted insult craftsmen — doesn’t go hard enough.

In The Franchise’s series premiere, which airs on Sunday, October 6th, we join the production of a movie called Tecto: The Eye of the Storm on...

HBO’s new comedy series The Franchise is about the making of Tecto: Eye of the Storm, a superhero movie for a barely-disguised version of Marvel Studios. In short order, it becomes clear that the only person in the cast and crew who actually cares at all about the movie’s subject matter — Tecto, a superhero who can make earthquakes with the help of an invisible jackhammer — is first assistant director Daniel (Himesh Patel), who grew up reading the source material. Daniel’s new assistant Dag (Lolly Adefope) is just...

The state of big-budget studio filmmaking obviously isn’t as consequential as the state of a dysfunctional, ego-driven, often deeply ridiculous U.S. government. Yet for those who obsessively follow the former, it’s probably more compelling, with the fandom of superhero movies and their ilk adding in a bizarre sports-style overlay of rooting interests. So it follows that “Veep” and “Succession” writer Jon Brown would create the satirical sitcom “The Franchise” with a similar eye for the clueless hubris of an unstoppable yet eminently ruinable machine. Appropriately, “Veep” and ”The Thick of It” mastermind Armando Iannucci is on hand to executive produce.

Also similar to “Veep” is the new show’s mix of schadenfreude for a cursed system and reluctant sympathy for its various cogs (at least the less openly venal ones). It becomes clear early on that it would probably be better for the artistic health of the film...

One of the things about comic book movies being the commercially dominant art form of the past couple of decades is that the genre has also been the most discussed and critiqued. This makes it very difficult for a genre already designed to be all-caps to still have any remaining minutiae left to expose or dissect.

The challenges of finding new elements to pick apart within the world of caped heroes — or within the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking, for that matter — are platformed in The Franchise.

Despite hailing from Succession and Veep veteran Jon Brown, with Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes among its producers, the comedy series very quickly becomes The Deadline Comments Section for Any Story About Marvel Movies: The TV Show. It has that level of insight and that level of unfolding momentum, complete with so many references to Deadline that you’d think Deadline‘s parent company...

"I just want this to be a good film..." "If you care too much about this job, it will kill you." Indeed. HBO has unveiled the official trailer for the comedy series The Franchise, arriving for streaming on Max later this week. The ridiculously funny comedy series shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, asking: how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? With endless fights on set, of course! A team trapped inside the dysfunctional hell of creating franchise superhero movies, at the end of the day the question is: is this Hollywood's new dawn or cinema's last stand? Is this a dream factory or a chemical plant? This sounds hilarious and this looks way, way better than Judd Apatow's The Bubble. The series stars Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag,...

HBO has released the official trailer for the original comedy series The Franchise, which will debut on Sunday, October 6, at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. The eight-episode series will be available on HBO and Max.

The Franchise follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. One new episode will debut weekly through Sunday, November 24.

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 mess-up has an origin story.

The 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. The recurring guest stars include Richard E. Grant as Peter and Daniel Brühl as Eric.

The executive producers are Sam Mendes,...

Daniel Brühl of HBO’s upcoming superhero filmmaking spoof, The Franchise, has seen this movie before.

Premiering this Sunday, Oct.6 at 10/9c and counting Academy Award winner and two-time James Bond director Sam Mendes among its executive producers, The Franchise follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie — Tecto: Eye of the Storm — as they fight for their place “in a savage and unruly cinematic universe.” The half-hour comedy series aims to shine a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, asking the question: How exactly does the cinematic sausage get made?

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Armando Iannucci has already skewered the world of politics with prescient series “Veep.” Now, the staple HBO showrunner is turning his satirical eye on Hollywood with workplace comedy series “The Franchise.”

The official synopsis for “The Franchise” reads: “The series 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 fuck-up has an origin story.”

With Method acting mocked and superhero stars juicing up with Hgh, “The Franchise” doesn’t hesitate to point out just how ridiculous working on big studio franchises really is.

The ensemble cast includes Aya Cash, Himesh Patel, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, and Isaac Powell; Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl are billed as recurring guest stars.

HBO has revealed the new trailer for “The Franchise,” the network’s upcoming satire of superhero movies.

Created by Jon Brown and executive produced by Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci (“Veep”), the 10-episode comedy series focuses on the production of the latest installment in a multi-film comic cinematic universe.

Here’s the logline: “A hopeful crew finds themselves trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero moviemaking.”

The series stars Himesh Patel (“Station Eleven”) as the production’s first assistant director, with Lolly Adefope (“Shrill”) as his new deputy. Billy Magnussen plays the film’s star, while guest star Richard E. Grant is the feature’s antagonist. Other cast members include Daniel Bruhl as the film’s director, Jessica Hynes as the director’s assistant, Darren Goldstein as the studio guy, Isaac Powell as the studio’s eyes and ears, and Aya Cash as the film’s new producer.

School’s back in session and parents are seeking engaging ways to keep them off screens when they get home from school. Pinna, the leader in kids and family audio entertainment and a division of Realm, is thrilled to announce three popular Australian Broadcasting Corporation Kids shows are being added to its extensive library.

Starting September 30th, children can dive into the thrilling adventures of Dino Dome, the imaginative fun of Story Salad, and the soothing explorations of Soundwalks on the Pinna app and Apple Podcasts channel.

Dino Dome brings prehistoric excitement to life as monstrous meat-eaters, humble herbivores, and stealthy scavengers compete in the greatest race of all time. The ever-changing landscapes—from deserts and volcanoes to the deep sea and suburban streets—ensure an action-packed Mesozoic mash-up of science fact and fiction, making for a perfect blend of education and entertainment.

Story Salad is an improv storytelling show...

From the comedy series The Franchise to the documentary I Am Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders, there will be plenty to select from on HBO and Max this October 2024! Check out the shows and movies we are looking forward to the most.

Are you looking forward to horror? HBO and Max are known to feature some of the biggest movies. And over the month of October, subscribers will also be able to enjoy some new true crime documentaries. Even if horror isn't your thing, Max has you covered! Let's get right to it.

The Franchise

It may be spooky season, but in the month of October, an HBO comedy sits at the top of my must-watch list, and that’s The Franchise, an HBO original comedy series. Set to feature only eight episodes, this is going to be a short and sweet escape from those who are avoiding...

Exclusive: Black Bear’s management arm has signed writer, director, actor, and producer Jordan Firstman, whose credits include Sundance 2023 black comedy Rotting in the Sun.

Firstman first rose to prominence by sharing short skits, impressions, and impersonations on Instagram Live during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He is also known for writing for Alia Shawkat’s Search Party and he was a consulting producer on Netflix’s animated series Big Mouth. As a filmmaker, Firstman directed the narrative short Men Don’t Whisper, which was shortlisted for the Grand Jury Prize at both Sundance and SXSW in 2018. He has also written for Comedy Central’s The Other Two and directed multiple episodes of the Peabody-nominated Sundance TV series This Close.

On the acting side, Firstman joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022 via Ms. Marvel on Disney+. He also recently appeared in FX’s Dave and the Netflix comedy You People with Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy.

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Max is ready with an entertainment-packed October this year. The upcoming month will see the return of some of HBO’s brilliant original comedy series Somebody Somewhere and also new original movies like Salem’s Lot. Just like every month, Max is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 10 new movies and TV shows coming to Max in October 2024.

Interview with the Vampire (October 1)

Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror drama film directed by Neil Jordan from a screenplay by Anne Rice. Based on Rice’s 1976 novel of the same name, the 1994 film follows the story of Louis, a vampire as he tells his life story to an eager biographer and his violent maker Lestat tries to make Louis stay with him. Interview with the Vampire stars Tom Cruise,...