MAGALOPOLIS Director Francis Ford Coppola Denies Reports That His Film Production Is in Chaos
It was recently reported that director Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis film production was in complete chaos. Insiders were saying it was “absolute madness” with reports of the filmmaker firing the entire visual effect department and a ballooning budget. Well, Coppola is saying that these reports are not true and that the production is perfectly fine.
In an interview with Deadline, the filmmaker shared: “I love my cast, I love what I’m getting each day, I am on schedule and on budget, and that’s what is important to me.”
Coppola did admit that there has been some turnover, and explained that the elimination of the VFX department during production is something he engineered to keep the film on budget: “It was basically about managing cost.” Bradley Rubin (The Mandalorian, Westworld) has been hired to be the film’s production designer, and he is handling all this.
Coppola went on to say: “I’ve never worked on a film where I was so happy with the cast. I am so happy with the look and that we are so on schedule. These reports never say who these sources are. To them, I say, ha, ha, just wait and see. Because this is a beautiful film and primarily so because the cast is so great. I’ve never enjoyed working with a cast who are so hardworking and so willing to go search for the unconventional, to come upon hidden solutions. It is a thrill to work with these actors and the photography is everything I could hope for. The dailies are great. So if we’re on schedule, and I love the actors and the look is great, I don’t know what anyone’s talking about here.”
Adam Driver, who stars in the film, also responded to these reports: “I’d like to briefly respond to The Hollywood Reporter article published Monday, January 9th. All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it.”
He went on to say:
“The environment that’s being created by Francis, is one of focus and inspiration. As of now, we’re on schedule, making our days, and honestly, it’s been one of the best shooting experiences I’ve had. Our crew is fast and inventive, our costume department is on point, the actors are incredible and willing, and Francis is one of the most insightful and caring people to work with. I’m very proud to be making this movie with him, and them, and though I haven’t interviewed everyone, I can confidently say that that’s the general attitude on set.
“Yes, it is true that the art department resigned and VFX were let go. Not all departments find cohesion on films and rather than suffer through and making decisions that leave a lasting impression on the film, people quit, get fired, or part ways. It’s unfortunate when it happens, but this production is not out of pocket in comparison to other productions; especially to the point that it merits an article about us descending into chaos. That characterization is inaccurate.
“No one signed up for this movie expecting the process to be conventional. We were expecting the opposite in the pursuit of making something unique. The only madness I’ve observed is that more productions aren’t allowed to be as creatively wild and experimentally focused, precisely because someone else is paying for it. It’s an effort and risk by Francis that I feel should be applauded, not publicly mischaracterized as troubled.”
Coppolla isn’t bothered by the reports, he’s just pressing forward and trying to make the best film he possibly can saying: “We’ll finish the film in spring of 2023, and we’re totally on schedule, which is hard to do on a big picture. I don’t know how many films can say that eight weeks in but we are and that’s a fact.”
The filmmaker went on to share is distribution goals for the movie saying: “I’m interested in a theatrical release in theaters, and IMAX theaters and I am excited about the possibility that for the first time in history, a movie could open up on the same day everywhere in the world, and that’s what my goal is.”
When talking about the story he wanted to tell, he explains: “My first goal was to make a love story with heart, but then you realize it’s about love and disloyalty and every aspect of human life. It echoes many other aspects of human life, like our planet being in danger, but ultimately a very optimistic film that has faith in the human ability to heal any problem that is put before us.”
He then concluded by sharing how happy he is with the movie: “My cast is the most wonderful group of actors, who are doing beautiful work and there isn’t one case of where I wish I had cast another way. Every night I go see the dailies, and I understand why I am going through all of this. I love what I see, every night. The look of the film is exactly what I dreamed.”
Well, that just sounds great! I’m so happy to see that Coppola is 100% on track with his ambitious $120 million epic film and that it’s been such a good and positive production experience for him. I’m excited about seeing how it turns out!
The film tells the story of an architect dreaming of a utopian version of New York City in the near future and his battle with the conservative mayor, who has other ideas about the city. Contained within the epic is a myriad of storylines and characters. “The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition.”
The movie stars Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, Laurence Fishburne, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, James Remar, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live), Isabelle Kusman (Licorice Pizza), D.B. Sweeney (Fire in the Sky), and newcomer Bailey Ives.