Aubrey Plaza, starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film Megalopolis, is addressing a report that surfaced alleging concerning behavior by the legendary director on set. The $120 million film, entirely funded by Coppola, is set to premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and has secured overseas distribution. However, the film is still searching for a U.S. distributor. Recent reports by The Guardian have quoted unnamed sources detailing Coppola’s behavior during production, including accusations of excessive marijuana smoking in his trailer and inappropriate conduct with women on set.
In response to the allegations, Plaza defended Coppola’s character and stated that the negative publicity may actually benefit the film by generating more attention. Plaza dismissed the claims made by unnamed sources in The Guardian, suggesting that people are eager to find flaws in the production of Megalopolis, particularly due to Coppola’s troubled history with Apocalypse Now. According to Plaza, the director may welcome the stories circulating about the film and view them as a way to attract further interest and intrigue.
The teaser trailer for Megalopolis was released on Coppola’s YouTube channel, with the director describing the project as “the best work I’ve ever had the privilege to preside over.” The film, set in an imagined modern America, aims to explore themes of change and conflict within a fictional city named New Rome. With a star-studded cast including Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Adam Driver, and Aubrey Plaza, the film promises to deliver a compelling narrative that delves into issues of power, love, and societal transformation.
The description of Megalopolis on the Cannes Film Festival website provides insight into the film’s premise, focusing on the clash between visionary artist Cesar Catilina and Mayor Franklyn Cicero over the future of New Rome. Mayor Cicero, portrayed by Esposito, represents the entrenched interests of the city, while Catilina, played by Driver, envisions a utopian future. Plaza’s character, Wow Platinum, adds another dimension to the story as a journalist caught in the midst of conflicting ideologies and allegiances.
Amidst the buzz surrounding Megalopolis, other high-profile films are also making waves at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Mad Max Fury Road prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga. With a lineup of star-studded casts and acclaimed directors, the festival is showcasing a diverse range of cinematic offerings, appealing to audiences and critics alike. As Megalopolis prepares for its world premiere in Cannes, all eyes are on Coppola’s latest opus, which promises to captivate viewers with its ambitious storytelling and stellar performances.
