Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary director behindApocalypse NowandThe Godfathertrilogy,denies approving the fake reviews in the viralMegalopolistrailer.The director returns to theaters this year with another self-funded project. Starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, and other A-list stars,Megalopolisfollows Cesar Catalina (Driver), an idealistic architect desperate to rebuild his decimated city into a new utopia. Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year,Megalopoliswas hit with varying reviews, ranging from 1-star stinkers to 5-star commemorations hailing the film as a masterpiece. Coppola is no stranger to negative reviews throughout his career, and, in a now deleted trailer forMegalopolis, the movie’s PR team thought they’d have some playful fun with the critics who were oh, so wrong about his past masterpieces.
The deletedMegalopolistrailer featured fake A.I. generated reviews of Coppola’s past movies, includingApocalypse NowandThe Godfather. The PR company was quickly fired from the project, and Lionsgate swiftly apologized for the incident. Speaking toEntertainment Tonightat the Toronto International Film Festival, Coppola finally addressed the controversy. The director saidhe pointed out his past negative reviews to the distributors.However, hehad no idea the PR company would include fake reviews in the trailer.Coppola said:
“I’m the one that said there were bad reviews. But, you know, it was a mistake. An accident. I’m not sure what happened.”
Megalopolis
Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a visionary 2024 film exploring the ambitious dream of reconstructing New York City into a utopia, following a devastating disaster. The narrative delves into the clash between the architect’s utopian vision and the political and personal turmoil that ensues. With a star-studded cast, the film examines themes of ambition, power, and the human spirit’s resilience against the backdrop of a futuristic metropolis.
Megalopolisis set to be Coppola’s triumphant return to the director’s chair, with his dedicated fan base eagerly anticipating the movie’s theatrical release. However,the movie’s press tour has been somewhat overshadowed by multiple controversies,including revelations about the firing ofthe entire VFX team halfway during production.
Francis Ford Coppola Explains Yet Another Megalopolis Controversy
“It was very hierarchical.”
What Is Megalopolis Actually About?
Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisappears to be as confusing as it is fun to say (try sayingMegalopolisthree times in a row, fast). While reviews are supposed to help shape the public’s opinions of a movie and inform them about what to expect when walking into the theater, thereviews forMegalopolishave caused even more confusion.This confusion was kickstarted by the movie’s Cannes premiere, where conflicting reports were released about the film receiving a 7-minute standing ovation, and members of the audience actively booing during the screening. When the reviews were released, some critics mentioned scenes that required ‘audience participation,’ which left readers befuddled.
Francis Ford Coppola Loves That Megalopolis Has Studios Confused
Francis Ford Coppola described how Hollywood executives are wrongly attempting to label Megalopolis as a certain type of movie.
Megalopolisfocuses on the city of New Rome. After a natural disaster decimates the city, Cesar Catalina wants to push the city into the future, transforming it into a utopia. Meanwhile, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Esposito), wants to halt any progress, keeping the city just as it is. The official synopsis reads:
The city of New Rome is the main conflict between Cesar Catilina, a brilliant artist in favor of a Utopian future, and the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero. Between them is Julia Cicero, her loyalty divided between her father and her beloved.
Megalopolisreleases in theaters on July 27, 2025.
