Scottish comedy legend Armando Iannucci is teaming up with 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre' director Sam Mendes for a new HBO comedy based around superhero movie-making.
According to Deadline, the half-hour project "takes a wry look at superhero movie-making. It follows 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?"
The news follows Iannucci's comic book debut earlier this year with a story for Spider-Man’s 60th Anniversary in Amazing Fantasy #1000.
Mendes, who came up with the idea for the show, will direct. The '1917' director also exec produces alongside Iannucci. Jon Brown, a writer on 'Succession', is on board as showrunner, and Guardian columnist Marina Hyde is also on screenwriting duties.
Neal Street’s Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown and Julie Pastor will also exec produce. The pilot story was by Brown, Akushie and Iannucci and the pilot was written by Brown and Akushie.
Iannucci is no stranger to HBO, creating both 'Veep' and 'Avenue 5' with the company. The latter show's upcoming second season may be its last. The Scot also directed and wrote 2017's 'The Death of Stalin'.
Mendes will also direct the upcoming romantic drama 'Empire of the Light'. The movie stars Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. The 80's love story is set to release in December.
'The Franchise' doesn't have a release date yet.
