How a tech giant's rise and fall became a television drama
In short: The boardroom coup that ousted Uber's CEO wasn't just business news—it became the foundation for a high-stakes anthology series. Discover how a journalist's non-fiction account was transformed into a cinematic exploration of Silicon Valley's most aggressive era.
Super Pumped, subtitled The Battle For Uber, is an American anthology drama series created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. The project's origins trace back to September 18, 2019, when Mike Isaac's non-fiction book, also titled Super Pumped, was identified as highly sought-after intellectual property. Shortly after, Showtime optioned the television rights, eventually evolving the project from a planned miniseries into an anthology format. The series creators, Brian Koppelman and David Levien, developed the show under their existing overall deal with Showtime Networks. This development followed the initial announcement that the network had secured the rights to adapt the novel.
The first season dramatizes the foundation of the ride-hashing company Uber, specifically through the lens of former CEO Travis Kalanick. Played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kalanick's tenure is depicted leading up to his removal during a boardroom coup. The production features a notable cast, including Kyle Chandler, Uma Thurman as Arianna Huffington, and Elisabeth Shue, with the first season narrated by Quentin Tarantino. Additional members of the primary cast comprise Hank Azaria, Mousa Hussein Kraish, Babak Tafti, and Kerry Bishé. Additionally, the first episode was directed by Allen Coulter, who also served as an executive producer.
While the series premiered on February 27, 2022, its future as an anthology was already being shaped. Just before the premiere, Showtime announced a second season based on another forthcoming book by Isaac regarding Facebook. However, as of June 2026, no further details regarding the second season or the Facebook adaptation have been released. Critics have met the series with mixed reactions; Rotten Tomatoes shows a 64% approval rating, with some reviewers describing the portrayal of the tech executive as an uncomfortable experience. Metacritic provided a score of 63 out of 100, suggesting the reviews were generally favorable. The production itself took place in Los Angeles, California, with filming starting in September 2021.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Super Pumped (TV series)
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