MEGALOPOLIS May Struggle To Find A Distributor As Controversial New Details From "Batshit" Shoot Emerge

MEGALOPOLIS May Struggle To Find A Distributor As Controversial New Details From "Batshit" Shoot Emerge

Has Francis Ford Coppola's (alleged) on-set behaviour hindered the chances of his sci-fi epic passion project, Megalopolis, finding a distributor?

By MarkCassidy - May 15, 2024 02:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Francis Ford Coppola will finally unveil Megalopolis at the Cannes Film Festival next week, but a new report outlining the legendary filmmaker's on-set antics could make the already daunting task of finding a distributor for the film even more challenging.

We've heard some stories about behind-the-scenes turmoil during the production of the $120 million+ sci-fi epic, but it sounds like the shoot may have been even more chaotic than previous reports suggested.

Following the debut of yesterday's trailer, The Guardian published a piece detailing some of the (alleged) behaviour of the Apocalypse Now director.

Among other things, it's said that Coppola chose to sit in his trailer smoking weed for hours on end while the cast and crew were waiting to film. He has also been accused of pulling scantily clad or naked female extras onto his lap and attempting to kiss them to "get them in the mood."

One crew member said that it was like "watching a train wreck unfold day after day, week after week, and knowing that everybody there had tried their hardest to help the train wreck be avoided."

After reportedly ditching the volume in favor of the more traditional green screen, Coppola was heard to say: "I don’t want to make a Marvel movie." Another anonymous crew member notes: "But at the end of the day, that’s what he ended up shooting."

Executive co-producer Darren Demetre responded to these allegations.

“I have known and worked with Francis and his family for over 35 years. As one of the first assistant directors and an executive producer on his new epic, Megalopolis, I helped oversee and advise the production and ran the second unit. Francis successfully produced and directed an enormous independent film, making all the difficult decisions to ensure it was delivered on time and on budget, while remaining true to his creative vision. There were two days when we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players. It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film. I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behaviour during the course of the project"

Potential headaches, for sure, but one insider (via Variety) believes that the additional controversy won't hurt - and could even help - the movie.

"I’m sure there was old-fashioned, out-of-step behavior, not to be condoned. However, in this context, the movie will stand — or fall — on its own merit.”

What do you make of this report? Check out the trailer for Megalopolis, and drop us a comment down below.

"An accident destroys a New York City-like metropolis already in decay. Caesar, an idealist, aims to rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia, while the venal mayor, Frank Cicero, has other plans. Coming between the opposing men and their visions is Frank’s socialite daughter, Julia. Tired of the attention and power she was born with, Julia searches for her life’s meaning."

Megalopolis stars Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, and D.B. Sweeney.

X-MEN's Jennifer Lawrence To Star In A24 Graphic Novel Adaptation WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?
Related:

X-MEN's Jennifer Lawrence To Star In A24 Graphic Novel Adaptation WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?

TIME BANDITS: Lisa Kudrow Leads The Team & Taika Waititi Is The Supreme Being In Fun First Trailer
Recommended For You:

TIME BANDITS: Lisa Kudrow Leads The Team & Taika Waititi Is The Supreme Being In Fun First Trailer

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 5/15/2024, 2:13 PM
There’s always Netflix 🤷‍♂️
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 5/15/2024, 2:27 PM
@FireandBlood -

*writhes in scorcese*
marvel72
marvel72 - 5/15/2024, 2:15 PM
Sounds like Coppola enjoyed himself.
TheMetaMan
TheMetaMan - 5/15/2024, 2:15 PM
“Coppola chose to sit in his trailer smoking weed for hours on end while the cast and crew were waiting to film.” A person of culture. If it was me I don’t think I’d even leave my trailer. 😂😂😂🤣
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 5/15/2024, 2:48 PM
@TheMetaMan - “Coppola chose to sit in his trailer smoking weed for hours on end while the cast and crew were waiting to film.”......sounds familiar
User Comment Image
TheMetaMan
TheMetaMan - 5/15/2024, 3:04 PM
@harryba11zack - I was gonna mention Snipes being an advocate of such behaviour. The backstage drama of Blade trinity is more entertaining then the movie itself.😅😂🤣
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 2:18 PM
After reportedly ditching the volume in favor of the more traditional green screen, Coppola was heard to say: "I don’t want to make a Marvel movie." Another anonymous crew member notes: "But at the end of the day, that’s what he ended up shooting."


Lol I don't know how but marvel keeps catching strays.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 5/15/2024, 2:25 PM
@Vigor - Marvel’s Drake right now. The biggest in the game and everybody’s playing the hate game
four20smoke
four20smoke - 5/15/2024, 2:39 PM
@FireandBlood - excellent analogy there Sir or madam
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 2:47 PM
@four20smoke - they*
RC5616
RC5616 - 5/15/2024, 6:43 PM
@FireandBlood - except Drake is omega cringe
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 5/15/2024, 9:32 PM
@FireandBlood - except marvel has talented writers behind it.
Batmandalorian
Batmandalorian - 5/15/2024, 2:26 PM
Megaflopolis
GhostDog
GhostDog - 5/15/2024, 2:29 PM
"Sit on my lap. Gimme kiss. It's for mood!"
User Comment Image
Cleander
Cleander - 5/15/2024, 2:30 PM
wop wop wop wop wop wop

I'm enjoying this bc of his mcu comments and him fiddling with his female extras in his movies bc he wanted to get them in the mood. disgusting persons shouldn't be rewarded.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 5/15/2024, 3:38 PM
@Cleander -

You're absolutely right.

His MCU comments were indeed disgusting.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 2:30 PM
He still makes decent wine lol
HermanM
HermanM - 5/15/2024, 3:01 PM
@TheFinestSmack - not anymore! He sold the vineyard to make this pile of crap
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 3:04 PM
@HermanM - Oh damn, did he? LOL, hilarious. And a waste of a good vineyard.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 2:31 PM
I wonder if people have figured it out "the game" by now...

That is, how merely need to name drop "Marvel" (shit or even Snyder) and that is the QUICKEST way to spread your "news" out there.

Like, for real, it's an open secret at this point, they've been doing it for years, it HAS worked for years and it usually from some literal-who's mouth, anonymous source or insider, people that without a face and a name, crazy, every single time. :)
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 2:38 PM
I need that edit button back, fam...look at this shit comment ffs...
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 5/15/2024, 2:41 PM
@Doomsday8888 -

Too risky, mate. Shit will be changed legt and right for trolling, I'm sure you can imagine. I'd rather we have typos than give trolls more tools.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 2:42 PM
@Doomsday8888 - typos and no edit button are part of this site's charm 😆
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 2:44 PM
@DrReedRichards
@Vigor

"We used be a country. A proper country!"
McMurdo
McMurdo - 5/15/2024, 5:17 PM
@Doomsday8888 - 🤡 take. Coppola doesn't need to name drop a franchise that has been trending downward to get people interested in his films. That's a hilarious thing to say.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/16/2024, 2:15 AM
@McMurdo
Scorsese doesn't need to do that either, he doesn't want to talk about Marvel yet somehow he is always put in a position where he has to.

Comicbook movies live rent free in people's mind and that's what gets the traffic going.
mynameisn0body
mynameisn0body - 5/15/2024, 2:35 PM
“i don’t wanna make a marvel movie” is wild.
four20smoke
four20smoke - 5/15/2024, 2:38 PM
That movie actually really interesting. I will definitelybe checking it out, lol....🙄
LSHF
LSHF - 5/15/2024, 2:44 PM
"A Marvel movie."? Does he think Marvel movies are the first (or only) ones to use green screens?

Weird that he singled out Marvel movies for green screens.
UniqNo
UniqNo - 5/15/2024, 2:45 PM
If the film is under 3 hours long I imagine it will find a distributor no problem.

It's going to find an audience just because of the talent involved, even if it's a shot movie.

That being said, Babylon a couple years ago got slated... but I found myself really enjoying it compared other movies that year and compared to that director's other movies.
UniqNo
UniqNo - 5/15/2024, 2:46 PM
@UniqNo - *shit*
LSHF
LSHF - 5/15/2024, 2:49 PM
"Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players. It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere..."

Uh, huh. Sure.

That makes zero sense whatsoever.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 2:59 PM
@LSHF -
User Comment Image
LSHF
LSHF - 5/15/2024, 3:20 PM
@TheFinestSmack - 😄
Origame
Origame - 5/15/2024, 2:52 PM
I mean, outside of the extras situation I don't see this messing with distribution unless it's genuinely a damaged film. And even then, most people are gonna expect proof of that behavior after Depp.
HermanM
HermanM - 5/15/2024, 3:02 PM
MegaCRAPopolis.

Looks like a Cloud Atlas sequel.
TheMetaMan
TheMetaMan - 5/15/2024, 3:05 PM
@HermanM - i really liked Cloud Atlas actually.
Underrated film and light years beyond Jupiter Ascending.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 5/15/2024, 6:01 PM
@HermanM -

LOL! Perfect.
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 5/15/2024, 3:13 PM
This look like a trip! No wonder he was smoking weird! Let them man live lol can’t wait to watch this!
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/15/2024, 3:18 PM
Why do I have feeling statues come to life and weird stuff in this movie is done by his imagination in movie
1 2

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder