Francis Ford Coppola is a legendary filmmaker, and he has been working on a project called Megalopolis for nearly thirty years.
The fact that he has kept this idea alive for so long surely catches everyone’s attention. Very few directors have the same level of creativity and imagination as Coppola.
Now, as he nears the end of his career, Megalopolis could be the most ambitious film he has ever made.
He started writing the script in the 1980s but had to put it away because he could not find anyone willing to fund such a large project. However, the time has finally come for him to make his dream a reality.
With a successful career behind him, Coppola has built enough wealth to finance his own movie. Megalopolis promises to be a grand spectacle, as his films often are. This film is about the rebuilding of New Rome after a major disaster destroys the city.
The story follows an architect determined to create a utopia from the ruins. As the writer and director, Coppola has a strong personal connection to the film.
The news of this project has created a lot of excitement, and there are many details to uncover about Megalopolis, including the cast and filming updates.
Does Megalopolis Have a Release Date?
After many months of looking for a distributor, it was announced in June 2024 that Lionsgate will release Megalopolis on Friday, September 27, 2024, in theaters throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The movie will also be available in IMAX theaters as part of this deal. It will open on the same week as the animated movie from DreamWorks, The Wild Robot.
In a press release about the film’s acquisition, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed his excitement, saying:
“Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him and to bring this incredible, audacious, and utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences.
At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and Megalopolis proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.”
Coppola also shared his enthusiasm in the press release, stating:
“One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritized (to my benefit) is to continue working with companies and teams who over time have proven to be good friends as well as great collaborators. This is why I am thrilled to have Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate Studios release Megalopolis.
I am confident they will apply the same tender love and care given to Apocalypse Now, which is currently in its 45th year of astounding revenue and appreciation.”
In January 2024, Coppola shared on a podcast that the film would come out in just “a few months.” He was hoping to premiere the film at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, followed by a wider release soon after.
The movie had its world premiere on May 17 at the Cannes Film Festival, alongside other films such as George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sean Baker’s Anora, and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness.
Will Megalopolis Be On Streaming?
Currently, the only way to see Megalopolis is in theaters. However, when Lionsgate acquired the film, they also secured the home video and streaming rights.
This means that Megalopolis will likely be available on Starz at some point in early 2025, as most Lionsgate films are streamed there after a delay of 5–6 months.
Is There a Trailer for Megalopolis?
On May 4, 2024, Francis Ford Coppola released a sneak peek of Megalopolis. The preview does not reveal much, showing Adam Driver in character on top of a skyscraper. In his post, Coppola mentioned:
“Megalopolis has always been a film dedicated to my dear wife Eleanor. I really had hoped to celebrate her birthday together this May 4th. But sadly that was not to be, so let me share with everyone a gift on her behalf.”
Days before its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Coppola unveiled the first teaser trailer for Megalopolis on May 14, 2024. Alongside this release, Coppola made a bold statement about the movie:
“Our new film MEGALOPOLIS is the best work I’ve ever had the privilege to preside over.”
On August 21, a second trailer for Megalopolis was released by Lionsgate. The trailer starts dramatically by showing negative reviews for some of Coppola’s most acclaimed films, including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, as well as Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
It then cuts to footage from Megalopolis with a voice-over claiming, “one filmmaker has always been ahead of his time.”
However, the trailer sparked considerable controversy because many of the negative reviews were later found to be fake. Due to this backlash, Lionsgate pulled the trailer from their YouTube channel and issued an apology that read:
“Lionsgate is immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis. We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We screwed up. We are sorry.”
On September 5, 2024, an updated version of the second Megalopolis trailer was released by Lionsgate.
What Is the Plot of Megalopolis?
Megalopolis is set in modern-day America and draws inspiration from Roman epic films but is told with a focus on America. Coppola has stated that the story is based on the Second Catiline Conspiracy, a conflict involving Roman senator Lucius Sergius Catilina and Marcus Tullius Cicero.
In this historical feud, Catilina plots to overthrow Cicero with help from a few unhappy Roman aristocrats. In Megalopolis, the beleaguered government official is the mayor of New Rome, who struggles to keep his job during a financial crisis.
While the city depicted resembles New York, it is reimagined as some form of New Rome. The plot follows an architect whose dream of a perfect city goes against that of a corrupt mayor. This mayor prefers to keep things as they are rather than accept the architect’s progressive ideas.
Coppola aims to use this story to highlight contemporary issues like environmental degradation, poor urban planning, and inequality. He believes that the same problems that caused the Roman Empire’s fall could happen again if society does not pay attention to the changing times.
Adam Driver, who plays a lead role in the film, shared his thoughts with Collider, calling the film “wild.” He said:
“It’s so imaginative and big and epic, and it’s bold. It takes a risk, and I couldn’t be more excited by it.”
The official plot summary from Lionsgate describes Megalopolis as:
Megalopolis is a Roman Epic fable set in an imagined modern America. The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina, a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare.
Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
Who Stars in Megalopolis?
Megalopolis boasts a star-studded cast, featuring one of the most talented actors in the industry, Academy Award nominee Adam Driver. He plays the leading role of Cesar Catilina, a brilliant and ambitious architect struggling with infidelity and drug abuse.
Giancarlo Esposito, known for his role in Better Call Saul, plays Franklyn Cicero, the troubled mayor of New Rome. The character often clashes with Cesar’s vision of a perfect city. Forrest Whitaker, an Academy Award winner, was initially set to play this role but left for unknown reasons.
Nathalie Emmanuel, famous for her role in Game of Thrones, plays Julia Cicero, Franklyn’s daughter and Cesar’s love interest. Laurence Fishburne, who received an Academy Award nomination for his work in The Matrix, plays Fundi Romaine, Cesar’s confidant.
The film also includes Academy Award winner Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III, Cesar’s uncle.
Other cast members include Aubrey Plaza as the eccentric TV reporter Wow Platinum, Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz, a member of Franklyn’s entourage, Shia LaBeouf as Cesar’s deceitful cousin Clodio Pulcher, Academy Award nominee Talia Shire as Cesar’s mother Constance Crassus Catilina.
Grace VanderWaal as the innocent popstar Vesta Sweetwater, Kathryn Hunter as Franklyn’s wife Tresa Cicero, Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman as Franklyn’s fixer Nush “The Fixer” Berman, James Remar as Charles Cothope, Chloe Fineman as Clodia Pulcher.
Isabelle Kusman as Claudine Pulcher, D.B. Sweeney as Commissioner Stanley Hart, Balthazar Getty as Aram Kazanjian, Haley Sims as Sunny Hope Catilina, Madeleine Gardella as Claudette Pulcher, and Bailey Ives as Huey Wilkes.
Having been in development for over thirty years, Megalopolis has seen significant changes in its cast and production crew since its early days. The initial cast included actors like Matt Dillon and Anne Heche, but they were eventually replaced with the talented ensemble we see today.
What Is the Production of Megalopolis Like?
The production of Megalopolis is already shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic events in recent years. After many ups and downs, including challenges in getting financing, Coppola finally started filming in November 2022.
The filming took place in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, utilizing extensive visual effects to bring the film’s unique vision to life.
Coppola’s previous experience with special effects on films like Apocalypse Now and Twixt makes him a reliable director to handle this ambitious project.
After facing various setbacks and struggles during production, the crew has focused on making Megalopolis a visual masterpiece, showcasing stunning urban landscapes and groundbreaking design.
The project’s estimated budget is around $120 million. Although this budget may seem high, it is not uncommon for films of this scale.
Coppola’s passion for the project has led him to invest a significant portion of his own money into the film. He has stated that he wants to create an unforgettable cinematic experience for audiences around the world.
One of the unique aspects of Megalopolis is its ambition to be more than just a typical blockbuster. Coppola aims to make a film that offers both entertainment and thought-provoking commentary on society and the world today. He hopes that the film will inspire conversations about the future of cities, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Vision for Megalopolis
Coppola’s vision for Megalopolis reflects his desire to create a film that combines artistry and social commentary. He has always been interested in showing the human condition and how society shapes individuals.
In interviews, he emphasized that the film aims to address the challenges of contemporary life and how they relate to the grandeur of past civilizations.
Coppola’s desire to create a modern epic film stems from his belief that cinema has the power to provoke thought and inspire change. He wants Megalopolis to challenge audiences to think critically about their lives and the world around them.
His earlier works, like The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, showcased his ability to blend storytelling with powerful themes. He hopes to bring that same depth to Megalopolis while also embracing a grand visual style.
Coppola is known for his meticulous attention to detail, and this project is no exception. He has surrounded himself with a talented team of artists and technicians who share his vision. Together, they are working to create a film that pushes boundaries and challenges conventional storytelling.
Why Is Megalopolis Significant?
Megalopolis holds a special place in cinema history not just because of Coppola’s involvement but also due to its themes and aspirations.
The film serves as a commentary on the state of society and the need for change. As urban centers around the world face various challenges—ranging from climate change to social inequality—Coppola’s film seeks to address these issues creatively.
Coppola’s dedication to the project demonstrates his unwavering passion for filmmaking. After years of struggles, he finally has the opportunity to bring his vision to life. This passion is evident in every aspect of the film’s production, from its elaborate sets to the carefully crafted script.
Megalopolis also represents a personal milestone for Coppola. As one of the last great auteurs in cinema, he aims to leave a lasting legacy. With the film’s release, he hopes to inspire a new generation of filmmakers to show bold ideas and push the limits of storytelling.
Conclusion: A Film to Watch For
As Megalopolis prepares for its release, excitement continues to build among fans and critics alike. The film promises to be a grand, imaginative journey that tackles complex themes while delivering a visually stunning experience. With Coppola at the helm, audiences can expect a cinematic event unlike any other.
The film not only highlights Coppola’s remarkable talent but also reminds us of the power of cinema to reflect and shape society. In a time when films often cater to a formulaic approach, Megalopolis stands out as a bold and ambitious project that is sure to spark conversations long after the credits roll.
With its unique blend of drama, ambition, and social commentary, Megalopolis is poised to become a significant addition to the cinematic landscape. It is a film that will resonate with audiences, leaving them pondering its themes and messages long after they leave the theater.
As we eagerly await its release, it is clear that Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is not just a film; it is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in cinema.
As Megalopolis approaches its release, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a groundbreaking film. Francis Ford Coppola, known for his masterful storytelling, brings a unique vision that challenges traditional filmmaking norms.
His commitment to creating a thought-provoking narrative about the complexities of modern society speaks to audiences who crave depth in cinema.
The film’s focus on themes like environmental issues, urban planning, and social inequality is especially relevant today, prompting viewers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
Coppola’s ability to self-finance Megalopolis showcases his dedication to artistic integrity, allowing him the freedom to express his vision without compromise.
The involvement of a talented cast, including Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito, adds further excitement and credibility to the project.
Ultimately, Megalopolis is not just a film; it is a cinematic event that challenges viewers to think critically about the future of society, making it a must-watch for anyone passionate about meaningful storytelling.
