NEW YORK. After months of speculation about the fate of Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed epic, “Megalopolis” has finally found a home. Lionsgate announced on Monday that it will distribute “Megalopolis” in U.S. and Canadian theaters, concluding one of the year’s biggest acquisition dramas. Coppola’s $120-million Roman epic set in a futuristic New York will hit theaters, including IMAX screens, on September 27.
Coppola first privately screened “Megalopolis,” his first film in 13 years, for potential buyers in late March in Los Angeles. The unique nature of “Megalopolis” quickly garnered attention, alongside some skepticism regarding its financial potential. Last month, it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received mixed reviews but broad admiration for its daring approach.
Coppola has previously collaborated with Lionsgate on several home movie releases, including “Apocalypse Now Final Cut.” In a statement, Coppola expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Lionsgate again: “One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritized (to my benefit) is to continue working with companies and teams who over time have proven to be good friends as well as great collaborators. This is why I am thrilled to have [Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair] Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate Studios release ‘Megalopolis.’ I am confident they will apply the same tender love and care given to ‘Apocalypse Now,’ which is currently in its 45th year of astounding revenue and appreciation.”
“Megalopolis” stars Adam Driver as Cesar, an artist-inventor with dreams of a utopian metropolis, who is at odds with the city’s mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito. The film also features Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, and Dustin Hoffman.
Coppola has spent decades contemplating “Megalopolis” and ultimately sold parts of his considerable wine empire to finance it largely by himself. The film, which has already secured distribution deals in many international territories, includes experimental elements. Screenings so far have featured a live moment where an actor steps on stage and addresses a question to the screen.
Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair, praised Coppola in a statement: “Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him, and to bring this incredible, audacious, and utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences. At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and ‘Megalopolis’ proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.”
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
