The wait is finally over as the first look image of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ has been revealed. The project follows the rebuilding of a metropolis after it has fallen into decline, with two competing visions colliding. One from the idealist architect Cesar Catilina, played by Adam Driver, and the other from corrupt Mayor Frank Cicero, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito. The first official image from Megalopolis shows Driver’s character eyeing a rebuilding of the City of New Rome, while Nathalie Emmanuel, as Julia Cicero, looks on. Megalopolis is structured as a Roman epic fable set in an imagined modern America.
Francis Ford Coppola first conceived the idea of this sci-fi movie in 1983. He started the project, investing his own money but was forced to leave it before much development. After almost four decades, Coppola revived the project with his own funds. The ensemble cast for Megalopolis includes Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, and Talia Shire. Coppola directed, wrote, and produced the film, with Fred Roos, Barry Hirsch, and Michael Bederman also contributing as producers.
In a preview of “Megalopolis” in Vanity Fair, Coppola revealed that he had rewritten the script around 300 times before self-financing it for USD 120 million by selling part of his winery estate in Northern California. He mentioned that he had been collecting notes and clippings for a scrapbook of things he found interesting for a future screenplay, before settling on the idea of a Roman epic set in modern America. Coppola shared that he began writing the script around a dozen years ago and hoped for a project later in life to better understand his personal style.
The production of ‘Megalopolis’ was completed last year, and the film is set to be screened in competition at Cannes on May 17 in a gala premiere at the 77th annual festival. The long-awaited project, which has been a passion project for Coppola for many years, promises to be a visually stunning and thought-provoking cinematic experience. With a star-studded cast and Coppola’s creative vision at the helm, ‘Megalopolis’ is expected to be a groundbreaking addition to the director’s illustrious filmography.
Francis Ford Coppola’s dedication to ‘Megalopolis’ is evident in the extensive rewriting and self-financing he undertook to bring his vision to the silver screen. The film’s Roman epic concept set in a modern American context offers a unique and compelling storytelling perspective that is sure to captivate audiences. As Coppola prepares for the film’s premiere at Cannes, the anticipation for ‘Megalopolis’ continues to grow, with fans and critics eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the director’s latest masterpiece on the big screen.
‘Megalopolis’ represents a culmination of Coppola’s decades-long creative journey, showcasing his evolution as a filmmaker and storyteller. The film’s thematic depth, rich character development, and visually stunning production design are poised to make it a standout feature in the director’s esteemed body of work. As the Cannes premiere approaches, ‘Megalopolis’ stands as a testament to Coppola’s enduring passion for storytelling and his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic artistry.
