Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, renowned for iconic classics such as The Godfather series and Apocalypse Now, is set to unveil his long-anticipated new film, Megalopolis. This ambitious project, over 40 years in the making, was inspired by the H.G. Wells film The Shape of Things to Come, which Coppola watched as a child. After conceiving the script in the 1980s, the project faced several setbacks, including the 9/11 attacks, which led to its temporary halt. In 2007, it seemed like the film would never be completed due to a lack of financial support. However, in 2021, Coppola took a bold step by selling part of his winery and investing $120 million of his personal fortune (approximately 17.4 billion yen) to breathe new life into the film. The result is a remarkable achievement that required nearly four decades and over 300 rewrites to complete.
Set in New Rome, a sprawling American city grappling with the growing gap between the wealthy and the impoverished, Megalopolis follows Caesar, a visionary architect determined to develop a new city—Megalopolis. Amid a financial crisis and political corruption, Caesar clashes with Mayor Franklin Cicero, while also becoming entangled in the schemes of his own family. The film tackles themes of urban development, societal hope, and the future.
The star-studded cast features Adam Driver as Caesar, Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklin, and Nathalie Emmanuel as the mayor’s daughter, Julia. Other notable cast members include Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman.
The trailer begins with Caesar discovering his ability to stop time after shouting, “Time, stop!” The footage showcases intense confrontations between Caesar and Cicero, protests from the city’s residents, and magnificent sets evoking the grandeur of ancient Rome’s Colosseum, as well as the intricately designed futuristic city of Megalopolis. The trailer offers a glimpse into the epic scope and world-building of the film.
Megalopolis premiered in the competition section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. However, the film also garnered attention at the Razzies (Golden Raspberry Awards), winning Worst Director and Worst Supporting Actor (Jon Voight). Despite underperforming at the U.S. box office in September 2024, Megalopolis is expected to be remembered as a landmark work in film history. Coppola’s lifelong dedication to the project and its stunning visuals, which will be showcased in IMAX, have already begun to generate significant excitement among film enthusiasts in Japan.
Megalopolis
Screenplay/Production/Direction: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman
2024 / USA / English / 138 minutes / Color / Original Title: Megalopolis
Distributed by: Hark, Shochiku
Presented by: Hark, Shochiku
© 2024 CAESAR FILM LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Official X: @megalopolis_jp
Release Date: June 20 (Friday), in IMAX® and nationwide theaters.
