Lionsgate, a leading American film studio, recently made the decision to retract the newly released trailer for “Megalopolis,” the highly anticipated film directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola. This action follows the unsettling discovery that several critic quotes prominently featured in the trailer were fabricated. The trailer included quotes that seemed to recycle criticisms of Coppola’s earlier celebrated works such as “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now.” However, after investigations by Vulture and other media outlets, it was revealed that these quotes were entirely fictitious.
“Lionsgate is immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis,” a spokesperson for the studio announced. “We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We screwed up. We are sorry.”
The controversy erupted when it was found that these fictitious quotes were attributed to several well-known critics, like Pauline Kael of The New Yorker and Andrew Sarris of Village Voice. In the misleading trailer, Kael was falsely quoted as describing “The Godfather” as “diminished by its artsiness,” whereas Sarris supposedly dubbed it a “sloppy self-indulgent movie.” Additional critics who were wrongfully quoted included Roger Ebert, Vincent Canby, John Simon, Stanley Kauffmann, and Rex Reed.
These fabricated comments seemed strategically designed to draw a parallel between the divisive initial reception of Coppola’s earlier masterpieces and the mixed reviews “Megalopolis” received at its Cannes premiere. This framing was likely intended to position “Megalopolis” as a film destined to achieve classic status despite its early polarizing reception. However, the uncovering of these erroneous quotes has swiftly led to significant actions by Lionsgate, including pulling the trailer and issuing a public apology.
“Megalopolis” has been beset by a series of challenges even prior to this latest controversy. In July, Variety reported on alleged unprofessional behavior by Coppola on set. This included a viral video that appeared to show the director kissing extras. Rayna Menz, one of the women in the video, later disputed the account, defending Coppola and criticizing the recording as unprofessional.
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Despite these hurdles, the hype surrounding “Megalopolis” remains substantial. Set in a futuristic America with a Roman epic twist, the film marks Coppola’s return to feature filmmaking after a decade-long hiatus since his 2011 release “Twixt.” Noteworthy is the fact that Coppola self-financed “Megalopolis” with a budget exceeding $100 million, a clear testament to his belief in the project.
The star-studded cast includes acclaimed actors such as Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf. Lionsgate has slated the film for a U.S. release on September 27, a date eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike.
“Lionsgate understands the gravity of such an error and is committed to making sure that such an occurrence does not happen again,” the spokesperson added. The studio has promised a thorough review of its vetting process for marketing materials, ensuring that all future promotional content meets rigorous standards of accuracy.
The incident has sparked wider discussions about the importance of authenticity in film marketing. It’s a reminder of the ethical implications of promotional content and the trust that audiences place in studios. Fabricated quotes not only deceive potential viewers but also tarnish the reputation of the filmmakers and critics involved.
For Coppola, this episode adds to a challenging production journey. Given the director’s storied career, which includes timeless classics acknowledged for their cultural significance, “Megalopolis” represents more than just another film; it’s a passion project years in the making.
In the end, while the fabricated quotes controversy is undoubtedly a setback, it brings to the forefront the high expectations and intense scrutiny faced by legendary directors like Coppola. As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on “Megalopolis” to see how it navigates this tempest and whether it can indeed rise to the level of classic status that its creator envisions.
Cinema lovers and industry professionals will undoubtedly continue to watch developments closely, eagerly awaiting the film’s impact on both audiences and critics when it finally hits theaters. As for Lionsgate, this incident will likely serve as a crucial lesson in the ethics of film marketing, emphasizing the importance of integrity and transparency in an industry where reputation is paramount.
