Prolific UK screenwriter Jesse Armstrong, celebrated for his critically acclaimed HBO series Succession, has launched his directorial debut, the feature film Mountainhead.
Following the intricate power dynamics of the Roy family media empire in Succession, Armstrong’s new satire focuses on a quartet of tech billionaires whose weekend mountain retreat is disrupted by escalating global unrest and scrutiny of their companies.
At the Hay Festival, Armstrong addressed the recurring theme of wealthy individuals in his work: “People ask, ‘Why these rich people again?’ It’s a fair question. Succession was about a media family; Mountainhead features tech billionaires. My interest lies in power, not simply wealth. Succession explored the structures of power and their influence on the world.”
Mountainhead, starring Steve Carrell and Ramy Youssef, was produced with remarkable speed. Armstrong explained, “I pitched it in December, wrote it in January, and continued revisions through pre-production. We filmed in 22 days and completed editing just a week before its HBO premiere.”
The rapid production reflected Armstrong’s desire to capture the fast-paced nature of technological advancements and societal anxieties surrounding them. He stated, “The anxieties around technology, especially AI, are immediate and rapidly evolving. I aimed for a similar urgency in the writing and production process.”
He also mentioned his first-time directing experience: “The quick turnaround lessened my anxiety about directing. It was a way to jump in and learn quickly.”
Armstrong revealed that the inspiration for Mountainhead stemmed from extensive research, particularly podcasts featuring prominent tech figures. “I wrote a book review about Sam Bankman-Fried, then delved deeper into the tech world, listening to podcasts by everyone from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to mid-level employees. It’s an entire ecosystem,” he shared. “I became fascinated by their language. Understanding their vocabulary unlocked the narrative. And since AI companies utilize our data, I felt it was fair game to use their podcasts for inspiration!”
Armstrong clarified that while viewer engagement is paramount, the film served as a cathartic expression of his feelings about the tech world and its predominantly male leadership.
Despite his success, Armstrong self-identifies as a “comedy writer,” emphasizing the importance of compelling storytelling to complement humor. He explained, “Jokes are memorable, but a captivating story is essential for audience engagement.”
While many creators direct episodes of their own shows, Armstrong chose not to direct Succession, citing the high caliber of the existing directing team. He modestly acknowledged, “Their talent was such that it would have been presumptuous of me to attempt to match it.”
Armstrong portrays a humble and unassuming demeanor, contrasting the typical image of a confident showrunner. He describes himself as “more amenable, wanting everyone to be happy.” He continued, “I prefer collaboration over confrontation, unless dealing with unprofessional behavior. I hope I can defend myself and my work.”
Mountainhead is released on HBO and Max on 31 May