Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited sci-fi movie, Megalopolis, has been marred by controversy. The film, which the writer and director has been trying to bring to life for 40 years, is described as a 'Roman epic set in modern America.' Despite Coppola investing $120 million of his own money into the project, reports of troubling behavior on set have surfaced.
Allegations have emerged that Coppola attempted to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras during filming. Additionally, there have been reports of erratic and unprofessional conduct, leading to the dismissal of the majority of the visual effects team midway through production.
The casting of Shia LaBeouf, who has faced legal troubles in the past, has also raised eyebrows. LaBeouf's character in the film is involved in intimate scenes, further adding to the controversy surrounding the project.
Initial reviews for Megalopolis have been mixed, with the film currently holding a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics have described the movie as pretentious and overly long, potentially alienating a broader audience.
Furthermore, the release of the first official trailer for Megalopolis was marred by a significant error. The trailer featured fabricated negative quotes about Coppola's previous works, which were later revealed to be false. Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, issued an apology for the mistake and promptly pulled the trailer from circulation.
Speculation has arisen regarding the origin of the fake quotes, with some suggesting the use of AI technology in the vetting process. However, Lionsgate has not confirmed this theory.
The controversy surrounding Megalopolis continues to unfold, casting a shadow over the highly anticipated project. Despite Coppola's decades-long dedication to the film, its path to completion remains fraught with challenges and setbacks.
