HBO’s The Franchise: Teaser, Release date, Episode Guide, cast, Story, & Everything we know so far 

HBO's The Franchise is gearing up to bring a fresh comedic take on the chaos of superhero moviemaking, and excitement is building with the release of its official teaser. 

Created by the brilliant minds of Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci, this comedy series takes a humorous look behind the curtain at the high-pressure environment of Hollywood, where the team behind a less-than-favored franchise film struggles to find their footing in a chaotic cinematic universe.

As superhero films dominate the box office, The Franchise promises a unique, meta exploration of what it takes to create the magic we see on screen. The teaser hints at the series' frantic energy, with a recognizable MCU alum navigating the wild world of superhero productions. The show poses the intriguing question: how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Each blunder has its own origin story, and viewers are in for a wild ride.

With the premiere date confirmed, anticipation is mounting for the show that shines a light on the often unseen turmoil of movie production. Ready to dive deeper? Prepare to discover more about the characters, official teaser, and captivating details that The Franchise has in store. We’ll keep you updated with the latest insights as we approach its release!

Release date & Where to Watch

HBO's comedy The Franchise is set to premiere on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the show on Max, HBO's streaming service, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing.

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Plot

The eight-episode series The Franchise follows the crew of a neglected franchise film as they struggle to carve out their place in a chaotic cinematic universe. This comedy explores the hidden turmoil behind superhero moviemaking, humorously questioning how the "cinematic sausage" is made, emphasizing that every misstep has its own origin story. 

Cast

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• Himesh Patel (Station Eleven) as Daniel
• Aya Cash (The Boys, You’re the Worst) as Anita
• Jessica Hynes (Spaced) as Steph
• Billy Magnussen (Aladdin) as Adam
• Lolly Adefope (Shrill) as Dag
• Darren Goldstein (Ozark) as Pat
• Isaac Powell (American Horror Story) as Bryson
• Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Dispatches From Elsewhere) as Peter
• Daniel Brühl (The Alienist) as Eric
• Ruaridh Mollica as Jaz
• Sandra Huggett as Jaky Wheeler
• Will Rowlands as Jack The Fireman
• Geoffrey Austin Newland as Art Super
• John Cummins as Milo
• Alex Gaumond as Justin
• Urs Rechn as DoP Tobias
• AJ Vaage as Tom
• Jennifer Collings as Lo Olsen

Episode Guide

• Season 1 Episode 1 (Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 2 (Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 3 (Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 4 (Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 5 (Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 6 (Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 7 (Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 8 (Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024)

Official Teaser

In the teaser, Himesh Patel's character, Daniel, is on edge as he describes the film as a "scrotum resting on a razor's edge." What follows is a chaotic series of mishaps on set, including malfunctions, crashes, and fires, while Billy Magnussen's character, Adam, an actor, desperately seeks an ego boost before tackling a challenging scene.

Filming

Production on the pilot wrapped up before July 14, 2023, but filming was paused due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Production for the first season resumed on Feb. 26, 2024, with an expected duration of three months.

Behind the Scenes

The upcoming series The Franchise features an impressive creative team, including Armando Iannucci, renowned for his work on Veep and The Thick of It, alongside Sam Mendes, known for acclaimed films like Skyfall and American Beauty, and Jon Brown, who has contributed to hits like Succession and Avenue 5. Mendes directs the pilot and is among the executive producers, along with Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, Julie Pastor, and Jon Brown, who also serves as writer and showrunner. 

While the ensemble cast is noteworthy, the real excitement lies in the show's creators. Mendes, who conceived the idea for The Franchise, is set to deliver a compelling narrative, and with Iannucci's sharp comedic touch and Brown's Emmy-winning experience, this series could emerge as a strong contender for critical acclaim this year. The series will be produced by Iannucci’s Dundee Productions and Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, further highlighting the talent behind this highly anticipated project.