For over 16 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has ruled the box office, dominated pop culture, and rewritten the rules of franchise filmmaking. From Iron Man’s debut in 2008 to the multiverse madness of recent years, the MCU has become the standard-bearer of superhero storytelling.
But with great power comes great repetition, and in 2025, HBO decided it was time to poke some fun at the genre juggernaut. Enter “The Franchise,” HBO’s bold new superhero comedy that doesn’t just parody the MCU—it interrogates Created by Succession alumni Jon Brown and executive produced by Veep creator Armando Iannucci.
The Franchise is less about superheroes saving the world and more about the people behind the masks desperately trying to save their reputations, projects, and salaries. Witty, brutal, and surprisingly insightful, HBO’s latest satire skewers the modern superhero industrial complex with deadly precision.
More Read: ‘Dune 3’ Script in Progress, Confirms Denis Villeneuve
The Show: What Is The Franchise?
HBO’s The Franchise is set behind the scenes of a fictional superhero movie that’s part of an already bloated cinematic universe. Think The Boys meets The Office, with a bit of Curb Your Enthusiasm sprinkled in for good measure.
The series follows a ragtag team of actors, writers, and studio executives as they navigate the absurdity of franchise filmmaking—budget blowouts, fan backlash, last-minute rewrites, and corporate overlords obsessed with toy sales.
The fictional universe they’re building isn’t too far off from Marvel’s ever-expanding multiverse, and that’s entirely the point. The Franchise cleverly mirrors real-life issues plaguing superhero studios—especially Marvel—with a sense of humor that cuts deep.
The 16-Year Truth About the MCU
So, what exactly is the “truth” that The Franchise exposes?
It’s the realization that the MCU has been operating within a relatively rigid creative framework for 16 years. While it has produced groundbreaking films and unforgettable moments, it has also leaned heavily on a repeatable formula:
- Origin story ➝ villain reveal ➝ quippy dialogue ➝ CGI-laden climax ➝ post-credit teaser.
The Franchise breaks down this formula piece by piece, showing how artistic intent is often sacrificed in favor of marketability, synergy, and fan service.
Some of the criticisms it indirectly levels at the MCU include:
- Over-reliance on Safe Storytelling: The satire highlights how many superhero movies follow a playbook, avoiding risky narratives in favor of profitable predictability.
- Corporate Interference: The show portrays studio executives more interested in spinoffs and sequels than creative integrity—a jab at Marvel’s obsession with interconnectivity.
- Declining Visual Standards: By parodying CGI mishaps and rushed visual effects, The Franchise echoes complaints about the MCU’s post-production crunch.
- Tokenism vs. Representation: The show calls out superficial diversity efforts that lack substance, mirroring real-world critiques of Marvel’s casting and writing.
- Fan Toxicity & Pandering: The Franchise lampoons how studios cater to online fans to avoid backlash, often compromising storytelling in the process.
Characters That Mirror Real Industry Players
The characters in The Franchise are fictional, but anyone familiar with the film industry will spot parallels.
- Adam Pearce (portrayed by Billy Magnussen): A washed-up leading man trying to revive his career as the stoic superhero “Solar Sentinel.” Think Chris Pratt meets Edward Norton.
- Lana (portrayed by Jessica Hynes): A cynical screenwriter brought in to add “emotional depth” to the script but constantly ignored—a dig at how women are often token hires in writers’ rooms.
- Curtis Lee (portrayed by Lolly Adefope): The VFX supervisor trying to meet impossible deadlines with no budget—her plight is a nod to real-world VFX scandals involving Marvel.
- Ethan James (portrayed by Himesh Patel): A British theater actor who believes he’s above superhero work but needs the paycheck. Sound familiar?
Each character embodies a different aspect of the dysfunctional machine that drives superhero franchises today.
A Satirical Mirror to Hollywood’s Most Profitable Genre
In one early episode, the cast attends a Comic-Con-style fan panel. Instead of excitement, they’re met with hyper-technical questions about continuity errors and demands for obscure comic book cameos. It’s both hilarious and sad—a sharp commentary on how fan expectations now shape creative decisions.
Another episode involves a director being fired mid-shoot due to “creative differences,” replaced by a studio loyalist who agrees to CGI the entire third act. Sound familiar? It’s a scenario reminiscent of several Marvel productions, including Ant-Man, Doctor Strange 2, and The Marvels.
Through its absurdity, The Franchise unveils the slow transformation of superhero films from artistic expression into glorified content marketing.
Why Now? HBO’s Timely Dissection
- HBO couldn’t have picked a better time to release The Franchise. The superhero fatigue conversation has been building steadily for years.
- In 2023 and 2024, Marvel saw its first string of box office disappointments with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels, and Eternals. Critics began to ask: is the MCU running out of steam? Even longtime fans started voicing concerns about quality and coherence.
- Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ DC universe continued its own implosion, with multiple canceled projects, reboots, and confused timelines.
With audiences growing increasingly disillusioned, HBO saw the perfect opportunity to provide not just entertainment, but catharsis. The Franchise is the show we didn’t know we needed—a funny, smart, and sometimes painful reminder of what superhero storytelling used to be and what it’s become.
Reception and Critical Acclaim
Early reviews for The Franchise have been overwhelmingly positive. Critics are praising it not just for its humor, but for its intelligence and nuance.
- The Guardian called it “the most honest superhero show ever made.”
- Rolling Stone hailed it as “an instant classic for anyone tired of the cape craze.”
- IndieWire described it as “HBO at its sharpest, with comedy that cuts to the bone.”
It’s not just industry insiders who are impressed. Audiences—especially jaded superhero fans—are connecting deeply with the show’s premise. Online forums like Reddit and Letterboxd are filled with praise from MCU veterans who feel The Franchise articulates their growing exhaustion with the genre’s direction.
A Look at the Bigger Picture: Will This Change Hollywood?
- While The Franchise may not singlehandedly dismantle the superhero empire, it contributes to a growing cultural shift.
- Audiences are becoming more discerning. They want originality, risk, and emotional authenticity—not just another CGI showdown. HBO’s satire gives voice to that sentiment and forces Hollywood to pay attention.
- Just as The Boys redefined gritty superhero storytelling and Watchmen reimagined political relevance, The Franchise could push the conversation forward about what comes next in franchise filmmaking.
- Will Marvel listen? Probably not right away. But if ratings, reviews, and cultural buzz are any indicator, The Franchise might have just lit the first match of a creative revolution.
Frequently Asked Question
What is The Franchise about?
The Franchise is an HBO comedy series that satirizes the behind-the-scenes chaos of making a superhero movie within a fictional cinematic universe. It parodies real-life issues in the MCU and broader superhero genre.
Who are the creators of The Franchise?
The series was created by Jon Brown, known for Succession, and executive produced by Armando Iannucci, the mind behind Veep and The Death of Stalin. Their pedigree ensures sharp writing and brutal comedy.
How does the show critique the MCU?
The Franchise critiques the MCU by highlighting the formulaic nature of superhero films, corporate interference, overuse of CGI, forced diversity, and fan service culture—all under the guise of satire.
Is The Franchise connected to any real superhero universe?
No. While it clearly draws inspiration from the MCU and DCEU, The Franchise is entirely fictional. Its characters, universe, and storylines are original, though they mirror real-world scenarios.
What has been the reaction to the show?
Critics and audiences alike have praised The Franchise for its intelligence, humor, and accuracy in portraying the superhero genre’s current state. It holds high ratings on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
Will there be more seasons of The Franchise?
While HBO has not officially confirmed additional seasons, the buzz surrounding the show suggests a renewal is likely. Creators have hinted at potential arcs exploring merchandising, reboots, and streaming wars.
Does the show appeal only to superhero fans?
Not at all. While superhero fans may catch more of the inside jokes, anyone who enjoys smart comedy, behind-the-scenes drama, or satire will find plenty to enjoy in The Franchise.
Conclusion
The Franchise is more than just a comedy—it’s a cultural critique disguised as entertainment. In calling out the MCU’s 16-year habits, it provides a much-needed lens on an industry that’s grown bloated with success and shielded from criticism. Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan, a superhero skeptic, or just someone who loves a good laugh, The Franchise offers something refreshingly honest. It forces us to ask: are we watching stories—or just consuming content? And maybe, just maybe, that question will help shape the future of Hollywood’s most powerful genre.