Franchise, The: Oscar Winner Same Mendes’ Pilot Comedy for HBO

Billy Magnussen and Jessica Hynes lead the ensemble for The Franchise, about the making of a superhero movie.

Oscar winner Sam Mendes will direct the comedy pilot for The Franchise.

The pilot, which marks Mendes’ first time directing for U.S. TV, is set against the backdrop of the production of a superhero movie.

Billy Magnussen (Game Night, Made for Love), Jessica Hynes (Spaced), Darren Goldstein (Ozark), Lolly Adefope (Shrill) and Isaac Powell (American Horror Story) star.

Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) and Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) will have recurring roles should The Franchise go to series.

The Franchise will follow a hopeful crew trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero moviemaking.

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?”

Mendes originated the idea for the show and will direct.

Jon Brown (HBO’s Veep and Avenue 5) wrote the pilot and will serve as showrunner.

Mendes, via his Neal Street Productions, and Brown will executive produce with Veep creator Armando Iannucci; Neal Street’s Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown and Julie Pastor; and Keith Akushie, Marina Hyde and Jim Kleverweis.

Franchise, The: Oscar Winner Same Mendes’ Pilot Comedy for HBO

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