HBO Orders ‘The Franchise’ Pilot From ‘Veep’ Boss Armando Iannucci, With Sam Mendes to Direct
“Veep” boss Armando Iannucci’s newest comedy – “The Franchise” – has been ordered to pilot at HBO, with Sam Mendes set to direct.The half-hour comedy is set in the world of superhero movie-making, and Jon Brown is the showrunner. Here’s the logline: “A hopeful crew trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero movie-making. 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 executive produces for Neal Street Productions, while Iannucci executive produces for Dundee Productions.