Jesse Armstrong's film 'Mountainhead' became the most-watched HBO original film since 2020, with 1.3 million viewers, following its debut, and features a satirical story about billionaire friends amid a global crisis.
Jesse Armstrong's directorial debut 'Mountainhead' was filmed in a unique, imposing estate in Utah, chosen for its visual impact and emotional depth, reflecting themes of wealth and impersonal luxury, amidst a tight production schedule driven by contemporary anxieties about AI and tech moguls.
'Mountainhead' is a satirical HBO film that critiques the chaotic world of tech entrepreneurs and billionaires, blending fictional chaos with real-world parallels like Silicon Valley excess, AI obsession, and financial scandals, all crafted in a rapid production to capture the zeitgeist.
Jesse Armstrong's debut film 'Mountainhead,' created rapidly within six months, satirizes the chaos caused by social media and AI, featuring tech moguls like a Musk-Zuckerberg hybrid debating 'creative destruction' amid global violence, reflecting real-world concerns about technology's impact on society.
Mountainhead is a dark, satirical comedy by Jesse Armstrong that skewers the super-rich and their amoral, disconnected nature, highlighting their inability to learn from consequences and their dangerous detachment from reality, all while offering a sharp, humorous critique of modern tech and wealth culture.
Jesse Armstrong, creator of 'Succession,' quickly developed and directed the HBO film 'Mountainhead' in just over six months, featuring a star-studded cast and a fast-paced production schedule to capture the current influence of tech billionaires and societal chaos, with filming taking place in Utah and British Columbia.
Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession, quickly produced a new film called Mountainhead about AI anxieties, using AI to scrape podcasts for voices and writing the script in just 12 days, filming in Utah in 22 days, and emphasizing rapid production to reflect the film's mood.
Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession, discusses his return to exploring themes of power and wealth through his new film Mountainhead, a satire about tech billionaires, driven by his interest in societal power dynamics and rapid technological change, and his desire to express personal feelings about the world.
The cast of Succession reunited for a Q&A discussion in Los Angeles, where Brian Cox joked about his character's death, Kieran Culkin admitted he hasn't watched the finale, and the creators discussed the show's ending and the possibility of a fifth season.
Jesse Armstrong, the creator of the hit TV show "Succession," reflects on the ending of the series and discusses his sympathy for the characters, the portrayal of extreme wealth, and the show's blend of satire and tragedy. Armstrong acknowledges the show's focus on the horse race of who would succeed Logan Roy but emphasizes that the series was about more than just that. He also expresses his European perspective on wealth inequality and the psychological depth of the characters, while acknowledging that the show didn't glamorize wealth. Armstrong reflects on the viewers' passion for the show and addresses criticism, including one piece that claimed the show made the writer a worse person.
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong settled the debate over whether Kendall Roy's name was underlined or crossed out in a key scene from the show's final season. During a Financial Times event, Armstrong confirmed that Kendall's name was underlined, indicating that he was being named as Logan Roy's successor to the media empire Waystar Royco. Armstrong also revealed that he subtly prepared actor Matthew Macfadyen for his character's eventual rise to CEO in the series.
Kieran Culkin, star of the Emmy Award-winning drama "Succession," has shared his thoughts on the fate of his character, Roman, in the show's shocking finale. While creator Jesse Armstrong felt Roman had gone back to square one, Culkin believes his character has evolved as a person. However, the most significant impact on Roman is the loss of his family, despite their toxic relationship. Culkin also discussed Roman's final drink order, a martini, but wouldn't confirm if it had any particular meaning. With Culkin expected to receive his first Emmy nomination, fans eagerly await the return of "Succession" for season 4.
Jeremy Strong's improvised final scene in the Emmy-winning HBO series "Succession" left creator Jesse Armstrong terrified for the actor's safety. Strong climbed over a railing at the river as if he may jump in, causing Armstrong to fear for his physical safety. Strong revealed that he tried to go in the water during the scene, and Armstrong admitted that they did not have the necessary safety measures in place for the improvised moment.
"Succession" showrunner Jesse Armstrong was "terrified" by lead actor Jeremy Strong's Method acting dedication to the series finale, which included an improvised moment in which Strong stood on the railing and looked down into the Hudson River. Armstrong clarified that Kendall would not have tried to kill himself in the context of the series and addressed the "chilly" ending between Shiv and estranged husband Tom.
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong was "terrified" when Jeremy Strong tried to jump into the Hudson River while filming Kendall Roy's final scene on the Emmy-winning HBO drama series. Strong revealed the tidbit in a Vanity Fair interview published after the "Succession" series finale aired on May 29. Armstrong said his first thought was for Strong's physical safety as a human being, not anything about the character. All four seasons of "Succession" are now available to stream on Max.