One of the premier members of a group of filmmakers known as “New Hollywood,” Francis Ford Coppola has long been one of the most respected and ambitious names in around, turning out classic ‘70s movies like The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now, among others. But the five-time Academy Award winner hasn’t released a new movie in more than a decade (the longest stretch of his career), leading some to wonder what he’s been up to since Twixt came out in 2011, besides speaking out against superhero movies.
The legendary filmmaker has spent the past few years piecing together what could very well be his most ambitious, most star-studded, and most complicated picture yet – a sci-fi epic titled Megalopolis. If this is the first you’re hearing about the long-in-the-works passion project, don’t worry, because we’re about to break down everything we know about the Francis Ford Coppola movie so far, including its release date, cast, trailer, and when we might see it on the big screen.
What Is The Megalopolis Release Date?
After months, even years, of not having a release date or even a distributor, IndieWire announced in June 2024 that Megalopolis will released in theaters on September 27, 2024, with Lionsgate handling distribution in the United States.
The Megalopolis Cast Includes Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, And More
Francis Ford Coppola has assembled what could very well be one of the most-stacked casts in modern Hollywood history, if not ever, for his latest film. With stars like Adam Driver, Laurence Fishburne, and more, there are just so many great names in the Megalopolis cast. Let’s meet them now.
Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina
Adam Driver leads the Megalopolis cast as Cesar Catilina, a character described by AP as Roman emperor-like figure determined to build a new New York with a fresh vision for its future.
Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero
Game of Thrones and Fast & Furious star Nathalie Emmanuel shows up in Megalopolis as Julia Cicero, Cesar’s love interest and the socialite daughter of the city’s powerful mayor, per The Wrap.
Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine
Laurence Fishburne, who is no stranger to ambitious sci-fi projects like The Matrix, shows up in Francis Ford Coppola’s new movie as Fundi Romaine, Cesar’s right-hand man, as pointed out by Evening Standard.
Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklin Cicero
Giancarlo Esposito, whose star has been on the rise over the past decade-and-a-half thanks to shows like Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian, appears in Megalopolis as Mayor Franklin Cicero. Described as a corrupt official by Vanity Fair, the character is Cesar’s biggest obstacle in his quest to rebuild for a better tomorrow.
Aubrey Plaza as Wow Platinum
Aubrey Plaza will show up in Megalopolis as Wow Platinum, a character described by Deadline as an ambitious Machiavellian journalist who’ll stop at nothing.
Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher
Shia LaBeouf appears in Megalopolis as Clodio Pulcher, who, according to People, is Cesar’s cousin. LaBeouf can be seen all over the Megalopolis trailer stoking the fires.
Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III
Jon Voight shows up in Megalopolis as Hamilton Crassus III, who, according to People, is Cesar’s uncle and the head of a national bank.
Dustin Hoffman as Nush Berman
According to Slate, Dustin Hoffman will be portraying Nush Berman, a high-power fixer who works with Cesar on his plans to rebuild the decimated city.
But this is just barely scratching the surface of the massive Megalopolis cast, as the highly-anticipated film will feature a couple dozen high-profile names before everything is said and done.
The Megalopolis Trailer Teases Catastrophe, Politics, And A New Beginning
After what seems like years of hearing about Francis Ford Coppola’s new and ambitious project, the director himself finally released a first glimpse at the movie with the Megalopolis trailer. Though technically a teaser clocking in at 90 seconds, the preview is full of details, characters, and stunning visuals that set the tone for what’s to come.
After Laurence Fishburne’s narrator asks “When does an empire die?” we are thrown into the world of Megalopolis, one that shows the destruction of New York City, the politics surrounding its rebuild, and the hope of a new beginning, one that will go beyond the status quo and reach for greatness and a better tomorrow.
Megalopolis Tells The Story Of A Modern Society On The Brink Of Crumbling Like Ancient Rome
As seen in the Megapolis trailer, Francis Ford Coppola’s epic sci-fi drama, will tell the story of a modern society at a crucial turning point following a cataclysmic disaster and how it makes its next steps.In a sprawling interview with Deadline earlier in 2022, Coppola, while not sharing too much in terms of specifics, said it was “exciting to have an opportunity to delve into themes that are really important,” later bringing up humanity, utopia, and the climate crisis. How those themes get wrapped up into Megalopolis is anyone’s guess, for now.
The Movie Has Been A Passion Project For Francis Ford Coppola Since The 1980s
Making incredibly ambitious movies that require years of hard work, dedication, and a level of stress that would break most has been a major aspect of the director’s career, especially when it comes to his two most well-known films, The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. It’s not that big of a stretch to say that Megalopolis falls into that same category, as Coppola has been working on the passion project since the 1980s, according to The Hollywood Reporter. When speaking about the movie with Deadline in April 2019, Coppola had this to say about it:
So yes, I plan this year to begin my longstanding ambition to make a major work utilizing all I have learned during my long career, beginning at age 16 doing theater, and that will be an epic on a grand scale, which I’ve titled Megalopolis. It is unusual; it will be a production on a grand scale with a large cast. It makes use of all of my years of trying films in different styles and types culminating in what I think is my own voice and aspiration.
Coppola, at the time, admitted that the ambitious project was not “within the mainstream of what is produced” but he was nevertheless encouraged to get the ball rolling.
Francis Ford Coppola Put Up $120 Million Of His Own Money To Finally Get Megalopolis Off The Ground
When Megalopolis finally does see the light of day, it will be due in large part to the hard work, dedication, and tons of cash the creator has put into the project. When sitting down with GQ in February 2022, Coppola talked at length about the movie as well as everything he has put into it in order to get it off the ground, including self-funding the production by selling a large piece of his wine company as collateral for a line of credit to fund the project, saying:
If I'm going to invest $120 million of my own money—which I've already done basically, I have it there, waiting to be written to make it—I want it to have a good result for humanity.
The total budget of Megalopolis hasn’t been revealed, but according to Coppola, it is going to take a few years before it is ready for release, which could very well make this the final large-scale project of his career.
What Is The Megalopolis Rating?
After months of speculation, we finally know what Megalopolis will be rated. According to FilmRatings.com, Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming epic will be rated R for sexual content, nudity, drug use, language, and violence.
What Is Megalopolis’s Runtime?
In the Cannes Film Festival program, where the ambitious, self-funded project premiered in May 2024, the Megalopolis runtime is listed at 138 minutes. So, with trailers, you’ll be spending a little more than two-and-a-half hours when you go to the theater.
Expect to hear more about Megalopolis in the coming weeks and months. Until then, check out the 2024 movie schedule to get caught up to speed on everything else coming to the big screen this year.
