Michael Douglas is Benjamin Franklin in new event series: ‘This is the best production I’ve ever been a part of’

Apple TV+ introduced to its users on Friday, April 12 the first three parts of its new event series Franklin, which was presented in the world premiere during the 7th season of the CANNESERIES festival in France. Filmed in exceptional locations such as Versailles and St. Malo, this fictional costume event is visually spectacular!

Michael Douglas becomes Benjamin Franklin

Here we follow the journey of a real historical figure, Benjamin Franklin, who at the age of 70 and without any diplomatic training convinced France – an absolute monarchy – to finance the American experiment in democracy in the 18th century.

Through his notoriety, charisma, and ingenuity, Franklin was able to thwart British spies, French informers, and hostile colleagues, brokering the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the final peace with England in 1783. Franklin wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence and is one of the founding fathers of the United States.

According to the paper The Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America By Stacey Schiff, the eight-episode Apple blockbuster was written by Kirk Ellis and Howard Corder. Tim Van Patten took over the directing duties and therefore cast the huge Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin.

The American star shares the poster of this series with Noah Jupp, then basically the french such as Ludivine Sagnier, Theodore Pellerin, Asad Bouabi, Jeanne Balibar and Thibaut de Montalmber.

Thanks to Michael Douglas, everything is in a different place

During a press conference with the entire Franklin team during the CANNESERIES 2024 festival, Mathias’ translator in Ten Percent was also excited that this collaboration took place in several languages, in front of and behind the camera:

“That American actors speak American, that English people speak English – because it is not quite the same language, not the same way of thinking, etc. – And that the French speak French, this is the heart of the story of the series. The fact that the actors speak their own languages ​​is an incredible plus in this context.”According to Thibault de Montalembert.

Ludivine Seiner, for her part, emphasized Michael Douglas’ unwavering investment throughout this ambitious project, at the height of his nearly 80 years: “When you have a leader like him, who has a global vision of making a film through his work as a producer, everything goes into a different place.“

“That is, everything is not focused on him, his performance or his character, but on the pleasure of creating an image and working together. Michael has a great sense of the collective and who will convey it– says the actor. His wisdom and good nature flowed through the team and everyone grew from him.”

“Thank you France!”

Finally, a key stakeholder wanted to explain to the assembly during the press conference that Franklin has a special significance in his long and impressive career: “I don’t say this lightly because I’ve been doing this for a long time, but this is the best production I’ve ever been a part of. really.“

“It is an experience to remember. Michael Douglas assures us. Our French team was amazing, our director of photography David Franco It was great and our cast was spectacular. 160+ days is a very long shoot and I’m grateful to be able to celebrate it. Thanks to France!“

Franklin is available exclusively on AppleTV+.