Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary director behind masterpieces like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has poured his heart and soul into his latest project, Megalopolis.
Coppola’s biggest successes have been his commercially popular films, but his winery has also been a steady earner. He bought Niebaum-Coppola winery back in 1979, and it’s been there to back his filmmaking ambitions—especially during rough patches.
With a staggering $120 million self-financed budget, Megalopolis features a star-studded cast, including Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Dustin Hoffman, and many others. The film has been a passion project for the director for over two decades.
But with early reviews calling it “baffling” and “unflinchingly batsh*t,” the big question is: will people love Coppola’s vision, or is Megalopolis destined to become a box office bomb?
Megalopolis’ Early Reviews Are “Baffling”
Following the initial screening of Megalopolis, reports from Matthew Belloni’s What I’m Hearing newsletter from Puck indicate a widespread sense of confusion.
Megalopolis tells the story of a utopian society facing a crisis as it struggles to adapt to changes. Cesar (Adam Driver), an architect, clashes with the city mayor, Frank Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), over how to handle a major accident.
The film is described as a strange blend of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, the classic sci-fi flick Metropolis, and the controversial reign of Roman emperor Caligula. One attendee remarked on its “zero commercial prospects” due to its “unflinchingly batsh*t” nature.
The report also mentions some really odd parts of the movie, like a scene where an actor from the audience interacts with Driver’s character on the screen.
Apparently, the ending is described as “baffling.” Although it’s a daring move that might not sit well with typical movie fans, it could become a favorite among film buffs who love unconventional movies.
Will Francis Ford Coppola’s Risk with Megalopolis Pay Off?
Megalopolis is still on the hunt for a distributor, and it’s facing some challenges. Big studios like Warner Bros. and Universal might not be interested because it’s a pretty out-there film.
But there’s hope! Smaller companies that focus on artsy and niche movies, like Neon, could be a good fit. Neon took a risk with another Adam Driver movie, Ferrari, when the big studios passed, and it paid off. Therefore, they might be open to Coppola’s vision too.
Even though Megalopolis is pretty unconventional, the film benefits from Coppola’s established reputation. The director’s name alone guarantees a certain level of interest, and the film’s aura of mystery will likely attract a dedicated audience. But to make back the huge amount of money spent on it, the movie needs to appeal to a wide audience.
In the end, the sci-fi drama will probably get picked up for distribution in one way or another. But the real make-or-break moment is how people react to it. Having Coppola’s name helps, but to truly succeed financially, it needs to break beyond its niche appeal.
Early signs show that might be tough, but cinephiles hungry for a groundbreaking cinematic experience should keep their eyes peeled for this potential cult classic.
