Megalopolis could very well be Francis Ford Coppola’s cinematic swan song—a film that embodies decades of ambition, creativity, and relentless determination. The project has undergone numerous transformations since Coppola first conceived the idea back in the 1980s. After years of development, setbacks, and revisions, Megalopolis is finally coming to life in what may be the legendary director’s final grand statement on film.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is a long-gestating passion project, years in the making. Blending political intrigue, philosophical science fiction, and star-crossed romance, the film explores the boundaries of human ambition and the delicate balance of power in crumbling societies. Revisiting themes from Coppola’s earlier works like Apocalypse Now and Tucker: The Man and His Dream, while channeling the glorious vision of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Megalopolis offers a blend of utopian aspirations and a melancholy meditation on a civilization unraveling under the weight of its corruption.
Coppola’s unwavering belief in this passion project is so profound that he invested $120 million of his own money to see it through. For him, Megalopolis is more than just a movie; it’s the culmination of his career-long exploration of themes like utopia, corruption, and the human spirit. After decades of dreaming, revising, and navigating challenges, the film represents the fulfillment of Coppola’s vision, underscoring his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries even in the twilight of his career.
Set in a reimagined modern America, the film portrays a Roman epic where the city of New Rome faces a crossroads. At its center is the conflict between Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), an innovative artist driven by the dream of a utopian future, and Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), a steadfast guardian of the existing order who clings to greed, entrenched power, and partisan conflict. Their clash over the city’s destiny is further complicated by socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar creates a deep inner conflict, forcing her to confront her beliefs about what kind of future humanity truly deserves.
The film features a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman. Megalopolis is set to be released on September 27, 2024.
Francis Ford Coppola was born in Detroit and grew up in New York. He studied theatre at Hofstra College and film at UCLA. His many films include The Godfather (72), The Godfather Part II (74), The Conversation (74), Apocalypse Now (79), The Outsiders (83), Rumble Fish (83), The Cotton Club (84), The Godfather Part III (90), Dracula (92), Tetro (09), and Twixt (11), which played the Festival. Megalopolis (24) is his latest film.
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