‘Franchise' players
Superhero movie-making spoof ordered to series
‘Franchise' players:
Superhero films carry the expectation that they’ll be instant blockbuster hits, though one could argue (cynically) that the true measure of its success is its potential for spawning a new characterfocused franchise. Expanding the cinematic universe is no laughing matter … but maybe it is, because one famous filmmaker is ready to mine comedy gold from that high-pressure situation.
Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” 1999) has partnered with “Veep” creator Armando Iannucci and writer/showrunner Jon Brown (“Avenue 5”) to turn his idea into a new TV series titled “The Franchise,” a half-hour comedy that was recently ordered to series by HBO. This would be the “Skyfall” (2012) helmer’s first TV directorial project, though the British filmmaker has already produced several TV series.
According to the official longline, “The Franchise” revolves around “the crew of an unloved franchise movie who fight for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe,” and it “shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking.”
Directed by Mendes himself, the pilot was completed before the SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14, though production isn’t expected to begin until both the actors’ and WGA strikes are resolved. Once that happens, “The Franchise” is ready to move forward and has already set its main cast, with Himesh Patel (“Yesterday,” 2019) on board as a series regular — he will play a character named Daniel — along with Aya Cash (”The Boys”) as Anita. According to Deadline, both performers appear in the pilot, though their roles weren’t announced until the series order was revealed.
Other cast members include Jessica Hines (“Spaced”) as Steph, Billy Magnussen (“No Time to Die,” 2021) as Adam, Lolly Adefope (“Ghosts”) as Dag, Darren Goldstein (“Ozark”) as Pat, as well as Isaac Powell (“American Horror Story”), Richard E. Grant (“Loki”) and Daniel Bruhl (“All Quiet on the Western Front,” 2022).
“With a deft touch only he can bring, Sam has brilliantly captured the romance and the reality of filmmaking today,” Amy Gravitt, executive vice-president for HBO Programming and head of HBO & Max Comedy Series, said in a statement. “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.”
‘Painting' complete:
While HBO has handed “The Franchise” a series order, it has, sadly, canceled another TV project.
After three seasons, “Painting with John” has been officially canceled and no new episodes are expected.
Host and series creator John Lurie announced the cancelation on social media (@lurie_john), posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), “I am sorry to say that Season 3 of “Painting with John” will be the last. I am sad about it, but it is a miracle that it ever happened at all. Thanks to HBO, [executive producer] Adam McKay, [executive producer] Todd Schulman, Erik Mockus, Nesrin Wolf and AnnMary James. Show is still on Max if you haven’t seen it.” (For Canadian viewers, it is available on Crave.)
Indeed, if you haven’t seen it, the series stars “cult-favorite musician, actor, director, painter, and The Lounge Lizards founder” Lurie alongside fellow producer Wolf and James, while Mockus served as both cinematographer and editor. Per the official longline for Season 3, which premiered this summer, “each of the half-hour episodes finds the artist enhancing his intricate watercolour techniques while reflecting on life lessons big and small.The series combines Lurie’s irreverent point of view with dynamic captures of his paintings and original music, vivid retellings of his wildest memories, and even some of his luminary toast.”
HBO also released a statement about the cancelation, with the television network praising Lurie as “a singular artist whose wide range of talent speaks for itself. Among so many other things, we fell in love with his gift for storytelling and his ability to take us on such a vivid and surprising journey.We loved working together with him on three incredible seasons of ‘Painting with John.’”
Houston squad:
A&E’s slate of true crime stories and real-life detective tales continues to grow, and the latest project to move forward is a new four-hour docuseries that chronicles the first all-Latino homicide squad, which was formed in 1979 and tasked with tackling Houston’s soaring Latino homicide rate.
Scheduled to premiere sometime in 2024, “The Chicano Squad” (working title) is the story of those who (according to the official logline), “for the next three decades would earn the trust of the community and the department, becoming one of the most highly decorated law enforcement units in the history of Houston. Their story will be told through first-hand accounts of the original squad members and those impacted by their work.”
The A&E docuseries will feature interviews with squad members, including founding member Jim Montero, Jose Silver, Raymond Gonzalez, U.P. Hernandez and Cecil Mosqueda. It will also explore how they revolutionized community policing and served as the inspiration for other squads.*