Is Francis Ford Coppola really bringing the stars back from Hollywood’s metaphorical deadpool? Ahead of the highly-anticipated debut of his ambitious film, Megalopolis, next month, the Oscar-winning director sheds light on his daring casting choices.
The film, a grand tale set in a reimagined America, chronicles an architect’s strenuous efforts to rebuild New Rome after a catastrophic disaster while battling the elite power structures. Featuring the likes of Jon Voight, Shia LaBeouf, Adam Driver, and Giancarlo Esposito, the cast reads like a list of actors who’ve faced the Hollywood guillotine of cancel culture.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Coppola revealed he pivoted from hiring the dandy darlings of Tinseltown to avoid producing what could be brushed off as just another “woke Hollywood production”. Instead, he aimed to keep it grounded and genuine, away from the hot air of current controversies. Also, it looks like Zendaya managed to sidestep a hot potato; she won’t be appearing in Megalopolis.
Did Francis Ford Coppola Make a Mistake with Megalopolis Casting?
Francis Ford Coppola’s forthcoming cinematic escapade, Megalopolis, is stirring the pot and making headlines for all the right (and wrong) reasons. With a star-studded yet controversial cast including Adam Driver, Jon Voight, and Shia LaBeouf, this film is anything but a walk in the park.
Note that it’s not just the plot that’s causing a buzz; it’s the choice of cast members that’s turned heads.
In a recent sit-down with Rolling Stone, Coppola, 85, opened up about why he opted for actors who have been more or less “canceled” by the Hollywood machine. With Voight’s outspoken support for Donald Trump and LaBeouf’s tumultuous personal life, the director knew his casting choices would stir up some dust.
But Coppola was adamant that he didn’t want Megalopolis to be pegged as just another “woke Hollywood production.” He wanted to keep things interesting by including a range of political perspectives. As he put it:
What I didn’t want to happen is that we’re deemed some woke Hollywood production that’s simply lecturing viewers. The cast features people who were canceled at one point or another.
There were people who are archconservatives and others who are extremely politically progressive. But we were all working on one film together. That was interesting, I thought.
It’s nothing short of miraculous that, in his eighties, Coppola has managed to breathe life into this long-brewing passion project. Frustrated with Hollywood’s studio system, he decided to shell out the $120 million budget himself. The director admitted:
I have everything to lose here. And, in a way, I have nothing left to lose anymore.
In May, the film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and is already dividing opinions (see Daily Beast). The drama doesn’t end there: Coppola reportedly gave the boot to the visual effects team in 2022 and had several creative spats with the cast and crew (via Variety).
Fans Didn’t Rally Behind Francis Ford Coppola’s Choice of Canceled Actors
According to World of Reel, Zendaya’s team has put the rumors to rest by confirming she won’t be making an appearance in Megalopolis. It seems the Dune star has dodged a bullet, as Francis Ford Coppola’s choice of actors with checkered pasts hasn’t exactly earned him any gold stars in the court of public opinion.
While some fans are relieved Zendaya avoided this potential hot mess, others argue that the film’s fate isn’t tied to any single star. Let’s see what fans are saying:
And if that wasn’t enough, a trailer for the film was yanked after accusations it featured AI-generated quotes, prompting Lionsgate to issue a public apology (see The Verge).
As Megalopolis gears up for its September 27 release, it’s clear that this film is not just another entry in Coppola’s illustrious career—it’s shaping up to be a real nail-biter. It’s still up in the air whether adding controversial actors will be a boon or a bane for this film.
