Francis Ford Coppola’s Sci-Fi Epic Megalopolis Rating Continues Director’s Movie Trend
Summary
Francis Ford Coppola’s filmMegalopolishas landed a U.S. release date following its divisive premiere. From the legendary director ofApocalypseNow, the film tells the story of an architect who is trying to reconstruct a utopian version of New York City.Megalopolisfeatures a leading cast includingAdam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LeBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzmann, Kathryn Hunter, and Grace VanderWaal.
PerIndieWire,Megalopolishas secured a U.S. distributor and a release date. Lionsgate will distribute the movie and it willrelease on September 27. In addition to this general theatrical release date,Megalopoliswill get an IMAX release. Their distributor, Lionsgate, will also handle the at-home entertainment distribution ofMegalopolisfollowing its theatrical release.
Megalopolis' Fraught Production History Explained
The Movie Is Coppola’s Passion Project
There was a while when it was thought thatMegalopoliswould not be able to find a distributor.It went into its Cannes premiere without a distributor, and even before that, producers did not want to pick up the expensive and high-concept film. As a result, Coppola self-funded the project, which cost an estimated $120 million.
Who Shia LaBeouf Plays In Megalopolis: Real-Life Inspiration Explained
Megalopolis' star-studded cast includes Shia LaBeouf, whose character is based on a historical figure, which gives some clues about his story.
The film’s Cannes premiere further complicated the team’s chances of getting U.S. distribution and success. The Cannesaudiences were split onMegalopolis, with many finding the film confusing and muddled in its execution of themes. Perturbed detractors callMegalopolisself-indulgent, interpreting the work to be about the process of filmmaking. Those who vouch forMegalopoliscan appreciate the inherent subversion in its discordant tone, admiring Coppola’s refusal to stay in one consistent tonal register.
At the time of writing,Megalopolisholds a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In addition to the initial reactions,Megalopolishas a fraught production history. Half of the Art Direction team quit partway through the production, and Coppola has reportedly engaged in negative on-set behavior, including being rude to extras who worked on the set ofMegalopolis.Despite these barriers and the mixed reception on its debut,Megalopolishas at least managed to clear the distributor hurdle. Whether it succeeds beyond this remains to be seen, given the mixed nature of the initial reviews.
Megalopolis
Cast
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.
