Casting the Invisible: Speculating on Shane's Revelation in The Franchise’s Superhero Parody

The ensemble cast of the superhero parody The Franchise hopes to see Olivia Colman embody their rendition of the MCU executive in charge, Kevin Feige. This comedy series features a humorous narrative surrounding a shadowy figure known as 'Shane,' who plays a pivotal role in the satire.

The storyline follows a group of filmmakers striving to produce a new addition to an extensive superhero franchise. Throughout the journey, various producers are introduced, placing Shane in a position of authority akin to that of Feige in the Marvel universe. Interestingly, despite Shane's frequent reference, the character remains unseen and unheard, creating a clever running gag.

Asking the talented cast who might embody Shane if they are eventually revealed, a few names emerge. Isaac Powell, who takes on the role of Shane’s personal assistant Bryson, proposes that either Imelda Staunton, renowned for her villainous portrayal as Umbridge, or Paul Giamatti, noted for his performance in The Holdovers, would be fitting choices.

On the other hand, co-stars Aya Cash, portraying producer Anita, and Himseh Patel, who plays first assistant director Daniel, suggest a different candidate—Patton Oswalt, a versatile comedian known for his roles in series such as Community and BoJack Horseman.

Lolly Adefope, playing third assistant director Dag, introduces a fascinating perspective by suggesting that it would be exciting if Shane were portrayed as a female character. This leads to a consensus when Darren Goldstein, who plays studio representative Pat, proposes that Shane could indeed be a woman, specifically Olivia Colman. With her impressive performances in The Crown and Heartstopper, she fits the role remarkably well—so HBO, take note!

According to showrunner Jon Brown, there are already plans to have Shane cast for a possible second season. He reveals that the original intention was to unveil the character in the current season; however, due to mounting pressure regarding the casting decision, they opted to keep it ambiguous for the time being.

Brown emphasizes that this approach will likely shift if The Franchise secures a renewal. He shares that there was a point where they contemplated introducing Shane in episode eight, but the task proved challenging, given the expectations tied to such a pivotal role. The casting would be significant, as it necessitates someone with considerable charisma fitting within that realm.

The Franchise is now being aired weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK, as well as HBO and Max in the US.