HBO has a new show called The Franchise, which is a funny take on the superhero movie business. The show comes from talented creators like Armando Iannucci, Jon Brown, and Oscar winner Sam Mendes. It gives an honest view of the strange situations that happen behind the scenes of big blockbuster films.
Unlike Veep, which became less serious over time, The Franchise uses real-life examples from superhero movie sets.
The creators have done extensive research to include many real events that actors and crews have faced. Even the Mission: Impossible franchise gets poked fun at with a hilarious twist on a bridge incident, made even better by a surprising cameo in the first season.
While the show hints at Warner Bros. Pictures’ own DC Universe, it feels a lot like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features a rising star, Billy Magnussen, and an award-winning director, Daniel Brühl, whose ideas are often ignored by the superhero business. This part seems to make fun of Eternals and Chloé Zhao, even though many famous directors have had similar experiences with big franchises.
The Franchise Is the Best Show About Making Movies
Hollywood loves making shows about movies, and in recent years, it has created many series about filmmaking. While some are praised as “love letters to cinema,” they often ignore the difficult parts of making films. The Franchise accurately shows what it’s like to work on a movie set.
It highlights long work hours with little sleep, the challenges of dealing with background actors, and the stress of surprise visits from important producers. Throughout the chaos, the people behind the scenes keep everything from falling apart.
The Franchise does not sugarcoat how tough the film industry is, especially for those making franchise movies. Unlike other shows that focus on directors and actors, The Franchise shines a light on the unsung heroes: first assistant directors, script supervisors, and other crew members who usually go unnoticed.
This show is not just a tribute to cinema; it honors the hardworking individuals who give their all to create the popular franchise movies that many people criticize. Viewers will tune in for laughs about superhero films but will also gain a better understanding of the people who work hard to create them.
The Franchise’s Cast Features Amazing Performances
The heart of The Franchise is Daniel, played by Himesh Patel. He is the first assistant director trying to hold everything together as chaos unfolds. Patel delivers a powerful performance, balancing drama and humor.
Throughout the show, audiences do not really learn about the characters’ lives outside of work, which reflects reality on movie sets. There are jokes about families and past jobs, but these aspects often seem unimportant due to their busy schedules.
Still, Daniel’s character makes viewers want to know more about him, especially why his mother calls him so often and why he appears so stressed. Although he makes mistakes, the audience continues to root for him.
The whole cast is fantastic. Dag, played by Lolly Adefope, serves as a relatable character. Her first day on set is filled with chaos and bad decisions, and every day after is just as hectic.
Unlike those who are passionate about superhero films, Dag keeps her cool, providing a nice balance to characters like Pat Shannon, played by Darren Goldstein. Pat is a clear parody of Marvel’s Kevin Feige, but this version is portrayed as a villain.
Daniel Brühl also stands out in the cast. He humorously plays into the stereotype that Germans are not funny. His dry humor blends perfectly with the witty dialogue, whether he jokingly suggests the studio should have hired someone else or shouts “let’s f***!” instead of “action” to seem cool.
His role adds another layer of irony since he is known for his part as Zemo in the MCU. Marvel actors have often voiced their issues with the franchise, and Brühl has spoken about feeling humiliated when working with them. One wonders if he finds relief in playing these feelings through satire in The Franchise.
Some of Brühl’s best moments are with Patel, showing their strong chemistry, despite the ups and downs of their characters’ working relationship. His character often works with Steph, played by Jessica Hynes, who is the dedicated script supervisor dealing with the chaos around her.
Aya Cash joins the cast as Tecto’s new producer, Anita. She follows her relationship with Pat and Daniel while handling the issues from Maximum Studios. One of her biggest episodes focuses on Tecto’s “woman problem” and the backlash about the film’s only female character, reflecting the backlash faced by strong female characters in superhero films.
Billy Magnussen plays Adam, Tecto’s lead actor who dreams of stardom. He has a bit of Chris Evans and Tom Holland about him—a talented actor trapped in the superhero movie world and now facing online ridicule. It is hard not to feel sorry for him, especially with how unkind his co-star Peter, played by Richard E. Grant, is throughout the series.
The Franchise Is Must-See TV
HBO is known for creating must-watch shows like Succession and The White Lotus, and The Franchise is likely to be their next big hit. Sundays are the perfect time for discussions about superhero movies, and people enjoy sharing their thoughts on superhero fatigue.
Still from The Franchise (Credit: HBO)
With the creative talents of Armando Iannucci, Jon Brown, and Sam Mendes, this series is unforgettable and endlessly fun. It is packed with clever humor, harsh truths, and a talented cast that delivers the show’s intent perfectly. Whether viewers love superhero content or are tired of it, The Franchise is the perfect satire for everyone.
The Franchise premiered on Max on October 6 at 10 PM ET.
The world of Boruto has been subject to much scrutiny since its inception. As a follow-up to the beloved Naruto series, it had incredibly big shoes to fill.
For many fans of the original series, Boruto failed to live up to the expectations they had built over the years.
From inconsistent character portrayals to questionable plot developments, it became clear that Boruto had some hurdles to overcome.
While the series introduced a new generation of ninjas, the way it treated its predecessors the characters fans had grown up loving often became the butt of many jokes within the anime community.
Sasuke And Naruto (Sudio Pierrot)
Among the long list of grievances, one particular element in the anime has attracted a lot of attention, and it has to do with how Studio Pierrot decided to handle the relationship between Sakura and Sasuke Uchiha in Boruto.
The portrayal of their relationship in the anime struck many as odd, but one specific moment from the earlier episodes made things even more laughable.
This scene involved a simple frame containing pictures of people close to Sakura, but there was something peculiar about it.
At first glance, it seemed harmless enough, but when fans took a closer look, it quickly became a source of amusement.
The focus here is on a specific detail of this family photo, one that both confused and entertained viewers, especially when it came to Sasuke’s portrayal.
While Sakura and Sasuke’s relationship had always been a subject of much debate in the Naruto fandom, Boruto somehow managed to transform it into something comedic, unintentionally turning Sasuke into a visual punchline.
The Legacy of Naruto and Sasuke
Before jumping deeper into the specifics of this particular photo in Boruto, it’s important to understand the legacy of Naruto and Sasuke, two of the most iconic characters in anime.
Their relationship as friends, rivals, and ultimately comrades shaped the story of Naruto, with their complex and tumultuous past being one of the highlights of the series.
Naruto, the optimistic and hardworking protagonist, was always driven by his dream to become Hokage, while Sasuke was defined by his tragic quest for vengeance and redemption.
Sasuke And Naruto With Sage Of Six Paths (Pierrot)
Despite their differences, they shared a bond that transcended time and space, a bond that would ultimately become one of the driving forces of the series.
However, their post-Naruto lives were filled with major shifts, both as individuals and in their personal relationships.
While Naruto achieved his lifelong goal of becoming Hokage, Sasuke chose a different path.
Following the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War and Kaguya’s defeat, Sasuke spent a significant amount of time atoning for his past sins, wandering the world in a self-imposed exile.
His choice to live in the shadows kept him away from the village, and by extension, from his family.
This caused many to question the nature of his relationship with Sakura, who remained in Konoha with their daughter Sarada.
Fans had always known that Sasuke’s personal life was complicated, but Boruto managed to exacerbate this by throwing in a surprising and humorous twist.
It’s almost as if Studio Pierrot wanted to highlight the fact that Sasuke’s devotion to his family, while undoubtedly present, was often overshadowed by his larger-than-life responsibilities.
A Closer Look at the Family Frame
In an episode of Boruto, there is a scene where a frame containing pictures of people close to Sakura can be seen.
A seemingly simple setup, the picture frame is intended to highlight the bond between Sakura and her family, especially Sasuke and their daughter Sarada.
But what makes this particular frame stand out is not the sentiment behind it which, on the surface, is wholesome and touching but the way it has been executed.
The frame contains four pictures: two of Sarada, one of Sakura, and one of Sasuke.
Gang attire in the family photo is unbelievable 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/uerSOAR2ye — Mahoon (@SasukeD_Uchiha) April 6, 2024
At first glance, it seems like a sweet gesture a family documenting their memories and cherishing their bond. But as fans examined the images closer, they realized something was a bit off.
Most family portraits tend to include everyone together in one cohesive shot. In this case, however, the Uchiha family photo was actually a collage of individual pictures.
This detail immediately caught the attention of fans, who began to question why there wasn’t a single group photo of the family.
It wasn’t uncommon for fans to already suspect that Sasuke’s extended absences from the village created some strain on the family.
After all, he was constantly working from the shadows, ensuring the safety of Konoha and the world at large.
But the fact that the Uchiha family didn’t have a single, unified family photo struck fans as both hilarious and telling.
It suggested that Sasuke had been away from home for so long that they never even had the opportunity to take a family picture.
The collage setup might not have been a big deal if it weren’t for the particular photo of Sasuke that Studio Pierrot decided to use.
Instead of a more recent or neutral image of him, the studio chose a picture of Sasuke during one of the darkest periods of his life when he was a member of the Akatsuki, a notorious criminal organization.
This decision left fans both confused and amused.
Sasuke’s Troubled Past
To understand why this particular photo was so surprising, we need to revisit Sasuke’s complicated past.
After the death of his family at the hands of his brother Itachi, Sasuke’s life was consumed by revenge.
Sasuke Uchiha (Sudio Pierrot)
His journey eventually led him down a dark path, culminating in his decision to join the Akatsuki, one of the most feared and reviled organizations in the ninja world.
During this time, Sasuke committed acts that branded him a criminal in the eyes of the village and many others.
His affiliation with the Akatsuki was a low point in his life, a period when he distanced himself from his friends, allies, and everything he once held dear.
Fans of Naruto are intimately familiar with this version of Sasuke. The Akatsuki cloak, with its red clouds on a black background, became synonymous with his darkest moments.
It was a reminder of the time when Sasuke had abandoned everything to pursue his personal vendetta.
That’s what makes it so bizarre and, in many ways, humorous that Studio Pierrot would choose this particular image of Sasuke to include in a family frame.
The fact that this version of Sasuke the fugitive, the rogue ninja, the terrorist, as he was once labeled was immortalized in what was supposed to be a tender family photo turned the scene into a joke.
It felt almost absurd that Sakura would look back at this image with fondness or that this would be the picture they’d choose to represent Sasuke’s role in the family.
Fans React to the Photo
When this detail about the Uchiha family photo was pointed out, the internet quickly erupted with reactions.
Memes, jokes, and humorous posts about Sasuke’s Akatsuki photo flooded social media, with many fans poking fun at the studio’s oversight.
The idea that Sasuke’s only contribution to the family portrait was a picture of him in his Akatsuki attire became a running joke in the fandom.
Sakura, Sarada And Sasuke (Sudio Pierrot)44
One of the reasons this moment resonated so strongly with fans is that it summarizes one of the key complaints they had about Boruto that it didn’t always treat its legacy characters with the care and respect they deserved.
In the case of Sasuke and Sakura, their relationship was already a contentious topic within the fandom.
Many fans of the original series felt that their relationship had always been underdeveloped, with Sasuke’s cold and distant demeanor contrasting sharply with Sakura’s unwavering devotion to him.
The decision to include a picture of Sasuke at his lowest point in the family photo only seemed to reinforce the idea that their relationship was still lacking the depth and development it needed.
While most fans understood that this was likely an unintentional oversight on the part of Studio Pierrot, the choice still struck a nerve.
It served as a reminder of the series’ tendency to gloss over or mishandle important aspects of its characters, especially when it came to Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship.
Sakura’s Plight and the Family Dynamic
Sakura herself is a character who has often been the subject of debate among fans. In Naruto , her growth as a character was significant, but her role in the final story was often overshadowed by the more prominent arcs of Naruto and Sasuke.
By the time Boruto came around, many fans hoped that Sakura’s character would receive more attention and depth, particularly in her role as a mother and wife.
However, the portrayal of Sakura’s relationship with Sasuke in Boruto seemed to reinforce the idea that she was still defined by her unrequited love for him.
Sasuke Uchiha Using Teleportation With Rinnegan (Studio Pierrot)
Sasuke’s constant absence from the family only highlighted the one-sided nature of their relationship, at least from an emotional standpoint.
Despite being married and having a child together, Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship still felt distant, both literally and figuratively.
The family photo scene in Boruto underscored Sakura’s plight. Here was a woman who had remained devoted to her husband despite his prolonged absences, raising their daughter mostly on her own.
The fact that they didn’t even have a proper family photo together only served to emphasize the disconnect between Sasuke and his family.
The use of the Akatsuki photo was almost symbolic of the fact that, for much of their relationship, Sasuke had been absent, either physically or emotionally.
His time as a member of the Akatsuki represented one of the darkest periods of his life, and it seemed ironic that this was the version of Sasuke that was immortalized in the family frame.
The Absurdity of the Photo Choice
When examining why Studio Pierrot might have chosen this particular image of Sasuke for the family photo, it’s difficult not to see the humor in it.
Perhaps it was an unintentional oversight, or maybe it was meant to be a subtle nod to Sasuke’s complex past.
Whatever the reason, the decision to include a picture of Sasuke in his Akatsuki cloak turned what should have been a heartfelt moment into something absurd.
The image itself is a stark contrast to the rest of the photos in the frame. While Sarada and Sakura are depicted in a more neutral or positive light, Sasuke stands out as the rogue ninja who once betrayed his village.
Sakura And Sasuke (Studio Pierrot)
It’s almost as if the photo is a reminder that Sasuke, despite all his efforts to redeem himself, will always be haunted by his past.
Of course, the internet being what it is, fans couldn’t resist turning this moment into a meme. The idea of Sasuke, the former Akatsuki member, being immortalized in a family photo became an instant source of humor.
It was as if the studio had unintentionally turned Sasuke into a parody of himself, highlighting the ridiculousness of the situation.
The decision to include a photo of Sasuke in his Akatsuki cloak in the Uchiha family frame is one of those small but significant details that summerizes some of the larger issues fans have with Boruto.
While the series has its moments, it often struggles to strike the right balance between honoring its legacy characters and developing its new ones.
For fans of Naruto, the image of Sasuke in his Akatsuki attire represents more than just a humorous oversight it’s a symbol of the series’ inability to fully move past the complexities of its predecessor.
Sasuke, Naruto & Sakura And Kakashi With Naruto (Crunchyroll)
And for Sakura, it’s a reminder that her relationship with Sasuke, even after all these years, still feels distant and incomplete.
As Boruto continues to evolve, fans can only hope that moments like this will become fewer and that the series will do a better job of portraying its legacy characters with the depth and respect they deserve.
But for now, the image of Sasuke in his Akatsuki cloak, forever immortalized in the Uchiha family photo, remains a hilarious and telling moment in the series’ history.
