The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola has had his passion project Megalopolis in development for over 40 years.
Having put up his vineyard to finance the $120 million experimental sci-fi epic, it’s now ready to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this month.
First reactions from early industry screenings have been mixed with one saying: “It’s unflinching in how bats**t crazy it is”.
But this doesn’t bother the Oscar-winner who claims that was the same early reception he had for Apocalypse Now.
Still, there are doubts that the acclaimed filmmaker will get his desired $100 million marketing budget, but who knows what distribution deals the 85-year-old will secure after Cannes.
Megalopolis’ synopsis reads: “An accident destroys a New York City-like metropolis already in decay. Cesar, an idealist, aims to rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia, while the venal mayor, Frank Cicero, has other plans. Coming between the opposing men and their visions is Frank’s socialite daughter, Julia. Tired of the attention and power she was born with, Julia searches for her life’s meaning.”
The upcoming gamble stars Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman and more.
A release date is TBC but our best bet would be late 2024 to complete for the Oscars next year.