Everything We Know About Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis

The story and cast of Coppola's Megalopolis are revealed along with other updates and explanations for the long timeline and high cost.

Megalopolis, possibly Francis Ford Coppola’s most ambitious film, tells the story of an architect who wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a devastating disaster. Coppola started writing the script in the 1980s. He spent years trying to bring his dream film to fruition, but eventually, his frustrations with the unpredictability of the film industry and Hollywood’s preference for franchises led him to give up on the project.

For the entirety of Coppola’s career he has been critical of Hollywood and tried to change it through his films with varied success. Undoubtedly he has directed some of the best and most influential films of all time, however, some of his projects such as One From the Heart led him into debt. Coppola’s financial struggles and need to support his family resulted in years of mostly making safe and formulaic films for others.

At the age of 82, Coppola has the wealth and stability to make the personal films he views as true cinematic art. According to the director himself, Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis will be revolutionary, unlike anything else currently being released in Hollywood. He believes the project will be a culmination of all he has learned in his many years of filmmaking and a legacy that he will leave behind for future generations.

Why Megalopolis Took So Long To Make

Earlier in Coppola’s career, he was struggling financially and made the decision to pursue directing studio-funded films that were more likely to be commercially successful. Coppola’s Megalopolis is a passion project that he put on hold for years. No studio will back the project, which is seen as a financial risk because of its complexity and grandiose vision. Furthermore, it is thematically very different from Coppola’s best-known films, such as The Godfather. Coppola plans to pursue the project again now that he has accrued enough wealth from his filmmaking career and wine business to have the stability necessary to take on such an expensive and risky project on his own.

Megalopolis Budget: Why Francis Ford Coppola Is Spending So Much

Confident in his vision, Coppola will independently finance his film’s ambitious $120 million budget. He does not fear the risk because his family is financially comfortable and his children are successful on their own. Additionally, Coppola plans for this film to be his greatest work, making it worth such a grand budget. This will not be the first time Coppola self-funds his film. In the 1970s, he spent $30 million to produce Apocalypse Now, which was also perceived as a significant risk. However, the film proved to be worth it, grossing $100 million and winning two Oscars.

Megalopolis Cast

Production for Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis will begin in the fall of 2022. Distribution rights are being brokered by attorney Barry Hirsch. The all-star cast features Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, and Laurence Fishburne in the film’s leading roles.

Megalopolis Story: What Is The Movie About?

Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming movie Megalopolis follows an architect who dreams of turning New York City into a utopia—however, his vision conflicts with the corrupt mayor’s conservative values. The politician attempts to destroy the architect’s plans and reputation through mudslinging and organized crime. One of Coppola’s inspirations for the film is the history of ancient Rome. He believes that if contemporary society doesn’t address issues such as inequality and environmental destruction, it will collapse just as the Roman Empire did 1,545 years ago. Coppola hopes the film will start conversations and encourage people to think critically about society and reflect on how to make it better.

Megalopolis Release Date Prediction

Francis Ford Coppola intends for Megalopolis to be a classic that stands the test of time, so viewers may have to wait a while for the film’s release. A speculated release date is between the years 2024 and 2025. Now hailed as a cinematic triumph, Coppola’s movie, Apocalypse Now, was similarly ambitious and daring, which bodes well for the potential success of his next masterpiece, which surely will be worth the wait. The next few years will be filled with excitement and anticipation around the release of what might be one of the best films of the 21st century.