As a lifelong fan of satire and a devoted follower of Armando Iannucci‘s illustrious career, I can confidently say that the man possesses a superpower unlike any other. If Marvel were to give him a Lycra suit with an ‘S’ on the chest, it wouldn’t be for rescuing people from bank robberies; no, it would be for shining a light on the hypocrisy and hidden power structures that plague our world.
This interview was originally published in the most recent edition of TopMob. Don’t miss out, grab a copy now to learn more about The Franchise and our featured shows from this week!
Armando Iannucci doesn’t have the superhuman abilities associated with characters such as Spider-Man, who has spider-sense and x-ray vision, or Thor, who wields Mjolnir, his powerful enchanted hammer.
But the balding 60-year-old of medium stature does have one superpower. If Marvel’s wardrobe department were to squeeze Iannucci into a Lycra suit, there would be an S on the chest – for satire.
He admits that he might not be capable of physically rescuing individuals caught in a bank robbery, but he could vocalize his concerns about the contradiction in banks’ investments in fossil fuels.
Throughout a distinguished career, this individual has tackled subjects ranging from sports broadcasting and news journalism to British and American politics. Their journey started with BBC Radio 4’s On the Hour, and continued through Alan Partridge, The Thick of It, and Veep – all of which have garnered acclaim.
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on “The Franchise,” an eight-part satire that takes us behind the scenes of the turbulent production of the superhero flick, Tecto: Eye of the Storm. This is a world where oversized egos reign supreme, scripts take unforeseen twists, and characters are discarded as easily as a crumpled script. Yet, amidst the chaos, it’s the heroic first assistant director, portrayed by Himesh Patel, who keeps everything from collapsing completely.
Iannucci acknowledges that others refer to him as a satirist,” he says. “However, I don’t start my day thinking about who I should mock today. Instead, I ponder on what topics ignite my passion, where the power lies that seems to be concealed from us, and why it is hidden in such a manner.
In The Franchise, power is wielded by cunning studio executives and their subservient underlings, according to Iannucci. Despite common belief, Kevin Feige at Marvel is said to be quite amiable. However, he’s not portrayed as a villain. Instead, it’s more about the relentless momentum of the franchise – the ‘too big to fail’ concept.
Just as we observed it happen with banks back in 2008, it’s becoming apparent with social media firms today. At first, their beginnings are marvelous, but problems arise once they grow to a particular size.
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but echo the passion that Iannucci exudes; at the tender age of 11, I had the thrill of seeing my letter published in a Spider-Man comic book. In my youth, I would pour over my earnings into Marvel comics, amassing the initial issues of both Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. However, as I embarked on my academic journey at university, my mother, in a moment of decluttering zeal, discarded my cherished collection. This act, in a way, marked my transition into adulthood.
Later, upon being requested by Marvel Comics to pen a Spider-Man tale, I shared with my brother, “That’s how I can put an end to the pain.
However, following a chat with director Sam Mendes, Iannucci found that his interest in superheroes wasn’t completely waning. “I was on the verge of working on The Death of Stalin, and Sam had just finished James Bond, sharing his experiences of being an Academy Award-winning theatrical Shakespeare director performing stunt sequences. This sparked an idea in me: ‘There’s a comedy in that!’
After pondering, we wondered, ‘Which franchise should we choose?’ At that time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was extremely popular. Being avid film enthusiasts, a question lingered between us: ‘Is it oversaturating cinema?’ With superheroes appearing everywhere, this marked the beginning of our thoughts.
As a dedicated cinephile, let me share an intriguing piece of news: Jon Brown, who previously collaborated with Iannucci on Veep and Avenue 5, stepped into the role as showrunner and co-creator for Succession. In his own words, “During the height of Marvel’s fame, when we were filming Avenue 5, it was a common occurrence to hear guest actors say, ‘I’ve been in a green room for two months, shouting at monsters I can’t see.’ That was a regular scene unfolding all around London.
In The Franchise, the true comedic capabilities of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) are fully utilized, yet it also delves into the emotional strain faced by those involved in its production. As Iannucci stated, “We consulted with seasoned first assistant directors and young filmmakers who, after working on one project, wrote in their wills, ‘If I work on another one, put me to sleep.’
In the given role, it’s Daniel Brühl, an actor known for his work in Marvel productions like Captain America: Civil War.
In The Franchise, he portrays Eric, a European director grappling with existential issues. Iannucci expresses that stepping into an indie director role in a superhero film was something new to him. He explains, “You’re largely allowed creative control for around three-quarters of the production, and then you’re effectively booted out. They complete the remaining part, rework what they dislike, and reshoot it.
For four decades, Iannucci has been whittling down pretentiousness and insincerity. While his satire is amusing, one may wonder if it truly brings about any change. Recognizing the fact, he acknowledges that over-the-top satire has now become the status quo.
“I’m observing the U.S. elections, and I can’t help but notice how both Trump and his campaign team are overstating facts. It seems they aren’t trying to convince us of their truthfulness, but rather to make their message so appealing that we continue to back them. In a way, it feels like a classic superhero narrative pitting truth against illusion, doesn’t it?
The Franchise premieres on Sky and NOW on Monday 21st October 2024.
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2024-10-14 19:37