Many fans have been waiting a very long time to see some kind of live-action Marvel/DC crossover, but for now, they'll have to make do with seeing both comic book giants lambasted at the same time on the small screen!
THR reports that a new parody series that will examine the notion of "superhero fatigue" titled The Franchise is in the works for HBO. The show is being developed as a half-hour comedy series, which will go behind-the-scenes of a fictional struggling superhero movie.
The official description reads: “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? Because every [frick]-up has an origin story.”
Himesh Patel (Yesterday) and Aya Cash (The Boys) are set to star, along with Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl.
The project hails from Sam Mendes (Skyfall), with Armando Iannucci (Veep) and Jon Brown (Succession, Veep) on board as showrunners.
“With a deft touch only he can bring, Sam has brilliantly captured the romance and the reality of filmmaking today,” said Amy Gravitt, executive vp of HBO Programming. “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.”
Though work on the pilot was completed before the SAG-AFTRA strike began last month, production will not recommence until the strikes have concluded.
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Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.