Jesse Armstrong's upcoming HBO film is moving at lightning speed. A trailer, or maybe more like a teaser, has just been unveiled. This plays like “Succession,” from the camerawork to the snark, but this time set on a mountain resort.
Titled “Mountainhead,” the movie began production in March and is already slated to premiere on May 31 at 8 p.m. Filming wrapped last week, and the team will likely have just under 90 days for post-production work—an unusually tight turnaround for a major project.
“Mountainhead” marks Armstrong’s first feature-length film and his first major project since wrapping up “Succession” in 2023. He's both writing and directing the movie, which, according to the official synopsis, unfolds “against the backdrop of a rolling international crisis” and centers on a circle of ultra-wealthy friends.
The film stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Ramy Youssef, and Cory Michael Smith. HBO has also released three early stills to offer a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Armstrong is no stranger to sharp political storytelling. He previously co-wrote “In the Loop” with “Veep” creator Armando Iannucci—a screenplay that earned them an Oscar nomination—and contributed to the dark satire Four Lions.
His most celebrated work, “Succession,” aired for four seasons on HBO and concluded in 2023. The series racked up 75 Emmy nominations and took home 19 wins. Widely considered one of the most influential shows of the past decade, “Succession” is often mentioned in the same breath as era-defining series like “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Wire,” and “Mad Men,” capping off what many see as the last wave of television’s golden age.