Lionsgate has recently made the decision to retract the just-released trailer for the highly anticipated film Megalopolis, directed by the iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, after discovering that several critic quotes featured in the promotional material were fabricated. The misleading quotes, which were prominently displayed in the trailer, appeared to derive from past criticisms of Coppola’s critically acclaimed works, including legendary films such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. However, investigations conducted by Vulture and other media outlets have revealed that these quotes were completely fictitious.
“Our organization is taking immediate action to recall the trailer for Megalopolis,” a spokesperson from Lionsgate disclosed. “We extend our heartfelt apologies to the critics who were misrepresented, as well as to Francis Ford Coppola and his production company, American Zoetrope, for the egregious lapse in our vetting process. We acknowledge our mistake and are deeply sorry.”
In a twist of irony, the tagline for the now-pulled trailer read, “Utopia awaits. MEGALOPOLIS – trailer tomorrow.” The fabricated quotes had been misleadingly attributed to renowned film critics such as Pauline Kael from The New Yorker and Andrew Sarris from The Village Voice. According to the trailer, Kael was inaccurately quoted as describing The Godfather as “diminished by its artsiness,” while Sarris purportedly labeled it “a sloppy self-indulgent movie.” Furthermore, other prominent critics, including Roger Ebert, Vincent Canby, John Simon, Stanley Kauffmann, and Rex Reed, were also falsely quoted.
These spurious quotes seemed to be a calculated attempt to paint Megalopolis, which received a polarized reception at its Cannes Film Festival premiere, as a film destined for classic status despite mixed early reviews. However, the uncovering of these erroneous statements prompted Lionsgate to act swiftly, pulling the trailer and issuing a prompt public apology.
This recent controversy is only the latest in a growing list of challenges for Megalopolis.
. Back in July, Variety reported on incidents of alleged unprofessional behavior by Coppola during the production phase, including a controversial video that appeared to show the director kissing extras on set. One of the women featured in the video, Rayna Menz, later refuted the claims of inappropriate conduct, defending Coppola, and decrying the recording as an unprofessional invasion of privacy.
Megalopolis, an ambitious narrative combining elements of a Roman epic set against the backdrop of a futuristic America, marks Coppola’s return to feature filmmaking, his first since the 2011 release of Twixt. Coppola took the bold step to self-finance this grandiose project, investing over $100 million of his own finances. The film boasts an ensemble cast that includes stars like Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf, among others. Lionsgate is still planning for a wide theatrical release of Megalopolis in the United States, with a release date set for September 27.
The mishap surrounding the trailer of Megalopolis underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls of modern film marketing. In an era where film studios are under immense pressure to generate early buzz and positive reception, poor decisions, such as including false quotes, can lead to significant reputational damage and can challenge the integrity of promotional practices within the industry.
Coppola, who has been a seminal figure in the landscape of American cinema, particularly lamented the incident, stating that even decades worth of contributions and accolades could be marred by misleading promotional tactics. This episode serves as a cautionary tale to filmmakers and studio executives alike about the vigilance required in the realm of film promotion.
As the release date for Megalopolis approaches, all eyes will remain on how Lionsgate and Coppola navigate the ensuing days. The incident has certainly put an additional layer of scrutiny on both the film and its marketing strategies. Meanwhile, the film community and moviegoers eagerly await to see whether Megalopolis will overcome its early controversies and secure its place as a celebrated work of cinematic art.
