Francis Ford Coppola has addressed the controversy surrounding the initial trailer for his highly anticipated film “Megalopolis,” referring to the use of fabricated film critic quotes as a “mistake” and an “accident.” Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the legendary director expressed uncertainty over how the error occurred, taking partial responsibility for the misstep. “I’m the one who said there were bad reviews, but I don’t know,” Coppola told Entertainment Tonight.
The initial marketing for “Megalopolis” utilized quotes from influential critics who had praised Coppola’s classic films like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now.” However, it soon became clear that most of these quotes were fabricated, with some critics having expressed positive opinions about Coppola’s earlier work, but not the new film. Speculation arose that the quotes may have been generated by an artificial intelligence chatbot. As a result of the backlash, distributor Lionsgate decided to remove the trailer, issuing a public apology to both the critics and Coppola for the oversight. A spokesperson for the company stated, “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.”
Despite this hiccup in marketing, excitement surrounding “Megalopolis” remains high. The film had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival before making its way to TIFF. Coppola describes it as “not like anything you’ve seen,” indicating a bold, innovative approach to filmmaking. He has stated that after a significant 14-year period devoted to understanding his artistic vision, he is delivering a film that resonates with his unique style.
Coppola further elaborated on the essence of “Megalopolis,” expressing a desire to create a film that boldly explores uncharted territory. He cited the creative risks taken by revered artists like Bizet, Picasso, and Monet, emphasizing that their groundbreaking works were often deemed too audacious or misunderstood during their time. “As we know, the art we revere—like ‘Carmen’—was considered too risky or a failure,” he noted. “’Apocalypse Now’ is a perfect example. When it came out, people said, ‘What the hell is this?’ But they never stopped going to see it.”
Set to star a talented ensemble cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman, Shia LaBeouf, and Laurence Fishburne, “Megalopolis” is anticipated to make waves when it hits theaters on September 27.
Coppola’s commitment to creating a film that defies conventional labels resonates throughout the project, promising an experience that challenges the audience and stands out in a landscape filled with formulaic storytelling. As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see how “Megalopolis” will redefine cinematic boundaries and solidify Coppola’s enduring legacy as a masterful filmmaker.
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