In a recent revelation, it was disclosed that Steve Carell Mountainhead Succession universe connection almost became a reality, with the new film “Mountainhead” nearly tying itself to the acclaimed television series “Succession.” The decision was reconsidered by show creator Jesse Armstrong, who debated bringing Alexander Skarsgård’s character, Lukas Matsson, into the movie before ultimately keeping the two stories apart.
The Origin of the Mountainhead and Succession Crossover Idea
Set against a backdrop of global crisis, “Mountainhead” portrays a comedic and satirical look into the world of influential billionaires. The film, which stars Steve Carell, along with Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Yousef, was penned and directed by Jesse Armstrong, widely recognized for his work on HBO’s “Succession.”
Both projects offer cutting social commentary focused on wealth and power—common ground that fostered speculation about a narrative connection between the film and show. The speculation grew when Armstrong admitted to considering integrating characters from “Succession,” particularly Lukas Matsson, played by Alexander Skarsgård, into the storyline of “Mountainhead.”
Lukas Matsson’s Potential Role in Mountainhead
In “Succession,” the Swedish tech mogul Lukas Matsson emerges as a formidable character, ultimately taking control of the Waystar Royco empire in the series finale. The prospect of Matsson joining the cast of “Mountainhead” as part of its ensemble of billionaires was actively discussed by Armstrong as he shaped the film’s plot and tone. As Armstrong shared his thought process, he noted the similarities between the two projects, especially in visual style and the talent brought over from “Succession.”
Alexander Skarsgård’s a brilliant actor, and I was like ‘oh, maybe — could we go off and see him?’ As the piece developed, although the look of the film I think people will find quite similar to Succession — I borrowed a lot of talent and leant on a lot of colleagues from that show.
Despite the crossover’s initial appeal, Armstrong came to realize that blending these distinctive worlds might not serve either project well. He pinpointed the divergence in tone and the potential for muddled storytelling as chief reasons for halting the merger of universes.
The tone of it’s actually kind of different. It just felt wrong. I’d be tonally misleading people if they thought, oh, Roman Roy might be switching on and seeing the same news as these people.
He explained that the conflicts and developments of both the movie and series made their union impractical. The idea of having Roman Roy and the billionaires of “Mountainhead” inhabiting the same universe could have led to confusion, and possibly diluted the distinctive impact of both narratives.
Jesse Armstrong’s Ongoing Thoughts on the Connection
Although Armstrong ultimately moved away from merging the two properties, he continued to reflect on what might have been if the crossover had taken place. “Succession” is emblematic of black comedy, focusing on the ruthless pursuit of power and wealth, while “Mountainhead” explores a similar subject, but through the lens of legacy protection among billionaires. Armstrong’s hesitance was underscored by his introspective comments on whether the experiences and worldviews of characters like Matsson would have complemented the satirical energy of “Mountainhead.”
He’d fit in pretty well. He has that confidence bordering on arrogance that they have. [Matsson] was keen on these big questions of, ‘Is France gonna make it?’ He says in the series.
The creator acknowledged that Matsson shares traits with “Mountainhead”’s cast of billionaire protagonists and even speculated on how well he would blend into the narrative’s themes and discussions. However, Armstrong made it clear that despite the careful consideration and the character alignment, he chose to keep “Mountainhead” distinct from his previous television work.
Reception and Availability of Mountainhead
Since its release, “Mountainhead,” featuring Steve Carell, has garnered attention and achieved a Rotten Tomatoes score of 79%, signaling strong appreciation from critics and audiences alike. The film’s world-building, ensemble cast, and sharp writing have contributed to its positive reception and ongoing discussions about its creative genesis. For viewers interested in exploring the work of Jesse Armstrong, both “Mountainhead” and “Succession” are currently available for streaming on HBO Max in the USA.
The decision to avoid blending the Succession universe with that of “Mountainhead” highlights Armstrong’s focus on preserving the individual themes and tones of his creations. Fans and industry watchers continue to debate the potential of such crossovers, but for now, each project stands on its own, driven by its characters, narrative style, and exploration of power in modern society.
