Jesse Armstrong, the creative force behind Succession, makes his feature directorial debut with the HBO Original film Mountainhead. Starring Steve Carell and Jason Schwartzman, the film centers on a gathering of billionaires during a global crisis and is set to premiere on May 31.
Here’s the Lowdown: Written and directed by Jesse Armstrong, Mountainhead follows a group of ultra-wealthy friends meeting as an international crisis develops. The film, which recently finished production in Park City, Utah, features Steve Carell as Randall and Jason Schwartzman as Souper, alongside Cory Michael Smith as Venis and Ramy Youssef as Jeff. It debuts Saturday, May 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.
What This Means Now: Given Armstrong’s considerable success with Succession, interest is high for his first film as director. The combination of his pointed writing, a cast known for both comedic and dramatic abilities, and a premise touching on wealth and global instability creates significant anticipation.
The Bigger Picture: Mountainhead involves several Succession alumni behind the scenes, including executive producers Frank Rich, Lucy Prebble, Tony Roche, Will Tracy, and Mark Mylod. This project indicates Armstrong’s continued look into the lives and anxieties of the super-rich, a theme that resonated strongly in Succession. The film represents another potentially notable title in HBO’s lineup of original movies.
