The following contains spoilers for The Franchise season 1 episode 2, “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer,” now streaming on Max
The Franchise‘ latest jab at Marvel Studios highlights a consistent controversy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from the last decade. Effectively serving as a silly takedown of the current Hollywood system, The Franchise is focused on the troubled production of a superhero film, Tecto. Within two episodes, the show has already highlighted the incredible mental strain these productions can put on filmmakers, as well as the huge financial cost that comes with every sequence or scene that gets cut from the blockbusters.
The second episode of the show, “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer,” draws attention to the problems concerning special effects. Stunt day on the set of Tecto is complicated by power plays, faulty tech, and disagreements over the visuals that cause plenty of problems for The Franchise‘s characters. However, the brunt of the pain is felt by one department that gets a brief (but memorable) moment in the episode. This throwaway beat actually speaks to one of the more vocally underappreciated corners of the film industry, and underscores The Franchise‘s themes about exploring the human cost of blockbuster filmmaking.
The Franchise Highlights VFX Problems In The MCU & Big Blockbusters
The Franchise‘s VFX Supervisor Jamie Needs A Hug
The Franchise‘s second episode highlights the strain superhero films can leave their VFX teams under, recalling a controversy that’s been haunting the MCU for years. In The Franchise, the conflict between the studio and the production of Tecto continues to simmer. The latest blow is the dismissal of dozens of extras, which messes with crowd-shots envisioned by the film’s director, Daniel Brühl’s Eric. Desperate to fix the problem, 1st AD Daniel is forced to turn to the VFX Supervisor Jamie, who acknowledges they could create 80 Moss Men, but it would be expensive, look terrible and the extra work may actually kill him.
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The superhero parody in the The Franchise gains an extra layer of pointed satire thanks to sharing two stars with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The fact Daniel responds positively to this highlights how underappreciated and overworked the special effects departments of big-budget films productions can be. Stretched between the ambitions of the filmmaker and the realities of filmmaking, Daniel is forced to push the struggle onto someone else. The fact that this is the first time audiences have seen Jamie, that he’s quickly whisked away back to work, and his generally defeated demeanor suggests this is far from the first time he’s been put through this casual workplace abuse. His comments about the shoddy VFX also speak to common criticism of modern special effects.
The MCU’s VFX Controversies, Explained
The MCU’s VFX Problems Speaks To An Industry Wide Concern
The working conditions for VFX artists has been tough across the entire film industry as of late, but the problem has become especially pronounced with the MCU. Many VFX artists who have worked for Marvel have spoken out about the conditions at the blockbuster studio. As reported by outlets like The Guardian, VFX artists have claimed that Marvel Studios regularly imposes unreasonable deadlines, underpays the VFX houses that they overwork, and generally pushes the employees to the breaking point. The results can be lost in the shuffle at best, and distracting at worst.
While other films like the DC Extended Universe’s The Flash was panned for its VFX, Marvel Studios is infamous for this trend. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania received harsh criticism upon release for visuals of the character. The Franchise is specifically poking fun at the MCU with its skewering of modern Hollywood, which in two episodes has included many digs about the scope of the superhero franchise and the effect it has. However, given the harsh criticism Marvel Studios has received for their treatment of VFX artists, The Franchise‘s commentary about the subject-matter takes on a more personal quality.
How The Franchise Approaches Blockbuster Trouble From A Human Perspective
The Franchise Is Breaking People Without Even Really Realizing It
One of the most affecting aspects of The Franchise has been the show’s approach to the average workers who find themselves cogs in the studio machine. While they may have passion for filmmaking, the state of the business can crush even the most ardent fans. This seems to be a subtle element of Daniel’s character. It’s repeatedly referenced that he grew up a fan of the comic universe Tecto hails from, and he genuinely want to make a good movie. However, he’s forced to become a taskmaster, conveying impossible demands from the studio executives, producers, and directors who control production.
Screen Rant
has also reported on the state of VFX in relation to Marvel Studios
The casual cutting of dozens of Moss Men extras mean that lots of people are suddenly without work because of the whims of producers they never met. This, coupled with Jamie’s exhaustion, highlights the strain that filmmaking can be on the underline workers who make blockbusters possible. It’s a tragic turn seeing Jamie so detached and beaten down. The only emotion that comes across is horror at how much worse his job is about to become. The Franchise is a harsh estimation of a VFX artist in Hollywood, but given reports about powerful studios, it’s not an entirely inaccurate one.
Source: The Guardian, Screen Rant
The Franchise is a Max original comedy television series that follows a film crew as they document their increasingly chaotic and hectic work on a Superhero film franchise. Acting as a satire on the industry, the show looks to lampoon the process and the sometimes unreasonable expectations of keeping a long-standing franchise alive and kicking.
- Cast
- Billy Magnussen , Jessica Hynes , Darren Goldstein , Lolly Adefope , Isaac Powell , Daniel Brühl , Richard E. Grant
- Release Date
- October 6, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Network
- HBO Max
- Streaming Service(s)
- Max
- Showrunner
- Jon Brown
