Megalopolis Finally Revealed In First Video For Sci-Fi Epic From Francis Ford Coppola
The first trailer for the Francis Ford Coppola sci-fi drama epic Megalopolis has been released. The movie is described as a contemporary reinterpretation of Roman history set in a fictionalized America. Led by Adam Driver, the cast features Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe Fineman, James Remar, D.B. Sweeney, and Dustin Hoffman.
The Megalopolis clip paints a vivid picture of the story, starting with a thought-provoking question about the downfall of an empire set against a backdrop of fiery objects descending upon the city. While the trailer spotlights Cesar’s (Driver) plea for a brighter future, attention is also drawn to Aubrey Plaza’s character, Wow Platinum, whose opulent lifestyle embodies societal wealth.
The new movie does not have a theatrical release date at this time.
The trailer for Megalopolis also explores the theme of economic disparity. Amid the city’s chaos, with crumbling statues and civil unrest, glimpses of extravagant events reminiscent of ancient Rome provide a stark contrast. Despite its lengthy journey to fruition, the film’s juxtaposition of wealth and collapse suggests its relevance in current times.
Coppola began writing Megalopolis in 1983, and the production reportedly cost $120 million. Financing for the project came partially from the director’s wine business, which he sold off to raise funds. In late March 2024, Coppola held a screening of the film for potential buyers, with industry heavyweights Donna Langley from Universal, Ted Sarandos from Netflix, and Tom Rothman from Sony in attendance.
Amid the city’s chaos, with crumbling statues and civil unrest, glimpses of extravagant events reminiscent of ancient Rome provide a stark contrast.
Despite these efforts, the film is still in search of a distributor. It is scheduled to debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, and will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or. According to insiders, finding the right market for Megalopolis has been extremely difficult. While there is immense industry support for Coppola, the practical business considerations prove challenging.
As outlined in the official synopsis, Megalopolis begins in New Rome, a city in need of change. Tensions result in a clash between Cesar Catilina (Driver), an innovative artist advocating for a utopian future, and Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who staunchly defends the current system, marked by greed, vested interests, and political strife.
Coppola began writing Megalopolis in 1983, and the production reportedly cost $120 million.
Caught in the middle is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter. Her affection for Cesar forces her to confront her conflicting allegiances and search for her own beliefs about humanity’s rightful destiny. Coppola wrote and directed Megalopolis, with Fred Roos, Barry Hirsch, and Michael Bederman serving as producers.
Before Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola directed Twixt in 2011. This movie was part of a late-career trilogy of ultra-independent personal statements from Coppola, with the others being Youth Without Youth in 2007 and Tetro in 2009. These films did not garner significant audience attention or critical acclaim compared to his earlier masterpieces, like The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now.
Despite Coppola’s belief in the importance of Megalopolis, he had to direct films like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Rainmaker, and Jack to manage debts and fund the highly anticipated ambitious project. The new movie does not have a theatrical release date at this time.
