Producer Recalls Francis Ford Coppola’s Film Trailer
The producers have apologized for fabricating critical quotes in the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s film Megalopolis.
In the film’s trailer released on August 21, the producers referenced famous works by Coppola that were initially negatively reviewed by critics, such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. The trailer featured a segment with the narration: “Genius is often misunderstood,” implying that some projects once deemed unpromising were later embraced by the public. However, according to Variety, many quotes included in the trailer were not actually found in critics’ reviews of Coppola’s projects. For example, comments attributed to Pauline Kael (The New Yorker), Andrew Sarris (Village Voice), and Rex Reed (The Daily News) were incorrectly used. Variety also noted that a quote from Roger Ebert was taken from his 1989 review of Batman (directed by Tim Burton), not from his review of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) as stated.
Owen Gleiberman, a critic mentioned in the trailer, responded by saying, “We do not deserve to have those words put in our mouths.”
Following the backlash from the industry, Lionsgate pulled the trailer from their YouTube page just hours after its release. However, the video remains available on other platforms. A spokesperson from the company stated: “We sincerely apologize to the critics, director Francis Ford Coppola, and his production company for the unforgivable mistake. We apologize for messing things up.”
This is not the first controversy surrounding Coppola’s $120 million film project. In July, Variety reported allegations of inappropriate behavior by the filmmaker, who was accused of kissing an extra on set. Rayna Menz, a crew member, denied these claims, stating: “He did nothing that made me or anyone else on set feel uncomfortable.”
Megalopolis marks Coppola’s first film in over a decade, following Twixt (2011). The science fiction film, set in modern America, tells the story of two characters involved in the reconstruction of a city: an idealistic architect, Cesar Catilina (played by Adam Driver), and a pragmatic mayor, Franklyn Cicero (portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito). Tensions arise between them when Franklyn’s daughter, Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), falls in love with Cesar.
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the film garnered attention and received a seven-minute standing ovation. The project has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a “recreation of cinema” while others found it dull and overhyped.
Coppola considers Megalopolis to be “the best film he has ever directed.” He began writing the screenplay in the early 1980s after the success of his The Godfather trilogy, using profits from his wine business to fund the film. In 2019, Coppola announced he would direct the project and began casting in August 2021.
At 85, Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most renowned filmmakers globally. He has won five Oscars, six Golden Globes, two Palme d’Ors, and one BAFTA. Gaining early attention in the 1960s, Coppola’s success with The Godfather (1972) cemented his legendary status in cinema. In 2015, he announced his retirement after Distant Vision, but he chose to return with Megalopolis.
The producers have apologized for fabricating critical quotes in the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s film Megalopolis.
In the film’s trailer released on August 21, the producers referenced famous works by Coppola that were initially negatively reviewed by critics, such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. The trailer featured a segment with the narration: “Genius is often misunderstood,” implying that some projects once deemed unpromising were later embraced by the public. However, according to Variety, many quotes included in the trailer were not actually found in critics’ reviews of Coppola’s projects. For example, comments attributed to Pauline Kael (The New Yorker), Andrew Sarris (Village Voice), and Rex Reed (The Daily News) were incorrectly used. Variety also noted that a quote from Roger Ebert was taken from his 1989 review of Batman (directed by Tim Burton), not from his review of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) as stated.
Owen Gleiberman, a critic mentioned in the trailer, responded by saying, “We do not deserve to have those words put in our mouths.”
Following the backlash from the industry, Lionsgate pulled the trailer from their YouTube page just hours after its release. However, the video remains available on other platforms. A spokesperson from the company stated: “We sincerely apologize to the critics, director Francis Ford Coppola, and his production company for the unforgivable mistake. We apologize for messing things up.”
This is not the first controversy surrounding Coppola’s $120 million film project. In July, Variety reported allegations of inappropriate behavior by the filmmaker, who was accused of kissing an extra on set. Rayna Menz, a crew member, denied these claims, stating: “He did nothing that made me or anyone else on set feel uncomfortable.”
Megalopolis marks Coppola’s first film in over a decade, following Twixt (2011). The science fiction film, set in modern America, tells the story of two characters involved in the reconstruction of a city: an idealistic architect, Cesar Catilina (played by Adam Driver), and a pragmatic mayor, Franklyn Cicero (portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito). Tensions arise between them when Franklyn’s daughter, Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), falls in love with Cesar.
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the film garnered attention and received a seven-minute standing ovation. The project has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a “recreation of cinema” while others found it dull and overhyped.
Coppola considers Megalopolis to be “the best film he has ever directed.” He began writing the screenplay in the early 1980s after the success of his The Godfather trilogy, using profits from his wine business to fund the film. In 2019, Coppola announced he would direct the project and began casting in August 2021.
At 85, Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most renowned filmmakers globally. He has won five Oscars, six Golden Globes, two Palme d’Ors, and one BAFTA. Gaining early attention in the 1960s, Coppola’s success with The Godfather (1972) cemented his legendary status in cinema. In 2015, he announced his retirement after Distant Vision, but he chose to return with Megalopolis.
