August 22nd 2024.
In 2024, the highly anticipated film Megalopolis is set to hit theaters, with Adam Driver leading an all-star cast. However, the excitement surrounding the movie took a hit when the major new trailer was abruptly pulled offline due to a "screw up." It was discovered that the trailer had used fabricated quotes from critics, causing confusion and controversy.
Directed by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who self-financed the movie with a budget of $120 million, Megalopolis premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to mixed reactions from critics. Some even went so far as to call it "the worst movie ever." Starring Driver as ambitious architect Cesar Catilina, the film follows his quest to rebuild New Rome into a utopia while facing opposition from the city's conservative mayor, Franklyn Cicero. Oh, and he also has the ability to stop time, adding to the fantastical elements of the story.
The new trailer, released on Wednesday, featured quotes from critics who had previously bashed Coppola's other acclaimed films, such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. These movies have since been considered masterpieces, playing into the polarizing reactions to Megalopolis. The trailer seemed to suggest that the movie would eventually be seen in the same light, once people actually watched it. Cast member Laurence Fishburne, who also narrates the now-pulled trailer, defended the film by saying, "True genius is often misunderstood." However, the inclusion of quotes like "pretentious," "tragic," and "absurdity" only added to the controversy surrounding the movie.
The trailer was eventually pulled due to the fabricated critics' comments, causing even more divided opinions about the film. It was revealed that the quotes had been misattributed and could not be found in actual reviews from well-known critics like Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael. Lionsgate, the production company behind the film, issued a statement apologizing for the error and expressing regret to both the critics and Coppola for the mistake.
One of the critics, Owen Gleiberman from Variety, spoke out about the inaccurate quote attributed to him. He pointed out that the trailer was built on a false narrative, as critics had actually praised The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. He also noted that the comment about Bram Stoke's Dracula being a "beautiful mess" was actually from his review of Batman. The source of the other criticisms used in the trailer remains unclear.
Aside from the trailer controversy, Megalopolis has faced other issues, including accusations of inappropriate behavior by Coppola on set. Video footage emerged of the director trying to kiss multiple female extras during a nightclub scene, confirming the earlier allegations. Coppola denied any wrongdoing, stating that he could never be a predator due to his upbringing and the respect for women instilled in him by his mother.
Despite the controversies, the film is still set to be released next month and will feature an impressive cast including Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Giancarlo Esposito. The futuristic setting of New Rome, with all its plotting and debauchery, is sure to be a visual spectacle on the big screen. And with Driver leading the way as the ambitious architect, audiences will surely be left wondering if there is enough time to accomplish all that he desires. Will Megalopolis live up to the hype and join the ranks of Coppola's other acclaimed works? Only time will tell.
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