Original-Cin Q&A: Director Tim Van Patten on Michael Douglas's Turn as Ben Franklin
Forget what you think you know about Benjamin Franklin.
The new limited Apple TV+ series Franklin takes us to France in 1778 where, at the age of 70, the U.S. Founding Father, accompanied by his grandson Temple, outmaneuvered British spies, French informers and hostile colleagues to establish the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with England in 1783.
The eight-year French mission has been called Franklin’s most vital service to his country, without which America could not have won the Revolutionary War.
The charismatic Franklin is played by Michael Douglas, with rising British star Noah Jupe at his side as Temple Franklin.
Michael Douglas and Noah Jupe in Apple TV+’s Franklin
The series is directed by Hollywood veteran Tim Van Patten who has helmed countless shows over the years including, The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones.
Bonnie Laufer spoke with Tim Van Patten about taking on this grand scale production and working with Michael Douglas. Franklin will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes of its eight-episode season on Friday, April 12, followed by one new episode every Friday through May 17, 2024.
CLICK HERE to watch Bonnie’s interview with series co-star, Noah Jupe
ORIGINAL-CIN: As a proud Canadian, my best subject in high school was American history. But I will admit I didn’t really know anything about this side of Benjamin Franklin. How much did you know, and, once you started to dig, when did you realize you had great material for an eight-part series?
TIM VAN PATTEN: I wasn't looking to do another historical piece. But you know, there's always a way into a story and this story was fascinating.
Like probably 90%, if not more of all American school kids, we knew about Benjamin Franklin and the key and the kite, but I had no idea about this part of his life. I love history as well, and when this sliver of history came to my attention I was absolutely fascinated and was immediately in. I was in because of what he accomplished, but I was also in because of who he was.
O-C: Then you had Michael Douglas on board not only as Benjamin Franklin but as a producer. It must have been fun to watch him transform. In his 60-year career, he has never played a historical figure.
VAN PATTEN: That’s absolutely correct.
O-C: So what ultimately surprised you or impressed you about him once you started to work together?
VAN PATTEN: Before we started this project, I watched Liberace (Behind the Candelabra). And I went, “If he can play that role, he can do anything.”
Then I started to watch a lot of his films and remembered what a great actor he is. He's such a pro and was devoted to every aspect of getting this series right. He and I were both a little nervous about this, because it's tricky. But we had a lot of conversations about it. We discussed whether or not he needed to wear the applications, the hair, the belly, to get the look right.
Director Tim Van Patten
Michael wanted to go pretty much unadorned pretty just doing the minimal amount of makeup. And he was right, because it removes a layer in this and you're really much closer to the actor as a person.
O-C: Was Benjamin Franklin crazy or arrogant? What are your thoughts?
VAN PATTEN: (Laughs) You could keep going and it would be crazy, arrogant, narcissistic, brilliant, charming, wise, seductive and a genius. He was so many things and we did our best to show all sides of his personality through this series.
I think that probably was why Michael was interested in playing him, because Michael embodies certain aspects of Franklin. His wit and his wisdom, and he's such a statesman in this business. He's so comfortable, and smart with everything that he does. Once he locked in, we built that beautiful cast around him and we were off to the races. I feel like I had a gorgeous front row seat to all of this.
O-C: You've worked on big productions before, but this one had to be quite daunting. On any given day you had close to 500 background extras shooting mainly on location, especially right on the grounds of Versailles.
VAN PATTEN: I’m not going to lie, it was a great joy. You’re right, it's not like I hadn't done it before but this was very special.
I've worked in this business for over 40 years, I've served my time on the battlefield, I've been there before. So when you do these kinds of things there is a bit of a strategy. You can say I had a mountain to climb, but it's never really daunting to me. It was actually very exciting. I was up for it and I like building the world from the ground up and digging into the research.
I always say I walk into an empty office, empty walls, and by the time I leave, it's filled with pitches and all sorts of inspirations.
O-C: A lot of times when you work on a big series, as you well know, you have to share the wealth. You only get to direct maybe one or a couple of episodes. With Franklin, you took on all eight episodes. How was it for you to have that kind of freedom and have your vision throughout the whole thing?
VAN PATTEN: After a lifetime in this business, I feel like I've arrived at the top of Everest or something. I was terrified to do the eight hours because it's hard enough just to do one.
I started dabbling in three episodes, and with Perry Mason I took on five.
And so I thought, “I'm going soup to nuts on this.” I'm just going to go from the idea to locking the door at the end of post and take on the whole darn thing.