So that explains why we’re cautiously excited about The Franchise, a just-announced HBO comedy about making superhero movies. Here’s the premise:
“It follows a hopeful crew trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero movie-making. If and when they finally make the day, the question they must face — is this Hollywood’s new dawn or cinema’s last stand? Is this a dream factory or a chemical plant?”
Assuming the show isn’t a rant about superhero movies destroying “real” cinema, we’re in. You can’t argue with the behind-the-camera talent — the pilot was cooked up by Veep creator Armando Ianucci and James Bond director Sam Mendes, guys we wouldn’t mind seeing behind the camera for just about any superhero venture. (Mendes was one of Marvel’s initial choices to helm The Avengers.)
From jacked actors dressed in greenscreen bodysuits covered in ping-pong balls to costume constraints causing bathroom distress to falling in love with Zendaya, superhero movie production seems ripe for satire. Was Robert Downey Jr. satisfied with his action figure likeness? We’re guessing Kevin Feige has a few stories he could tell.
Maybe the show’s best initial joke is that it was greenlit the same week that the HBO powers-that-be killed its Batgirl movie, a real-life example of the WTF shenanigans this show will be mining for laughs.
No word yet on casting, but we’ve got our fingers crossed for some smart comedy about the dumb decisions behind cinematic super-heroics.
For more ComedyNerd, be sure to check out:
13 Shows With Laughably Bad Premises
The 1980s Were Apex Cringe Comedy (Without Knowing It)
15 More Jokes For The Hall Of Fame
For ComedyNerd exclusive content and more, subscribe to our fancy newsletter:
Top image: Mad