HBO’s newest comedy series, The Franchise, has finally released an official trailer and release date. The series will premiere exclusively on Max on Sunday, October 6, 2024. The trailer is available to view below.
Via the newest trailer, The Franchise promises to find comedy in place where its characters face their ambitions head-on while in a constant battle to keep afloat. According to mxdwn, the series follows a hopeful crew who is trying their best to finish a dysfunctional movie project they are on, a film that falls within a large superhero franchise. The official logline for the series expands on the premise, explaining, “The Franchise 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 f*ck-up has an origin story” via mxdwn.
The Franchise aims to pull away the curtain behind the movie making process in the most exaggerated way, poking fun at the drama and stress of leading so many people to one ultimate goal. In the trailer, protagonist Daniel, played by Himesh Patel (Yesterday, Station Eleven), weaves his way through props, greenscreen backdrops and crew members scattering the set. As a montage of antics flashes from different cast and crew, Daniel introduces himself, saying, “I’m the first assistant director. It’s my job to keep the actors from killing themselves. And I work with the Director, assisting his vision.”
The trailer then contrasts the desire for Daniel to finish the movie with the frenzy of obstacles that make the goal seem impossible. The trailer ends on the following note: Will Daniel and the crew finish the movie, or will they all go crazy first?
Joining Patel in the cast are Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead, Spaced) as Steph, Aya Cash (The Boys, You’re the Worst) as Anita, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Miracle Workers) as Dag, Billy Magnussen (Game Night, Made for Love) as Adam, Isaac Powell (Cat Person, Dear Evan Hansen) as Bryson and Dareen Goldstein (The Affair, Ozark) as Pat, per mxdwn.