Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film, Megalopolis, is facing significant challenges as it grapples with a ballooning budget and the departure of key crew members. The sci-fi project, which is halfway through its shoot in Atlanta, has seen the exit of its production designer, supervising art director, and entire visual effects team.
Key Takeaways
- Megalopolis is a passion project for Coppola, self-financed with a budget initially set at $120 million.
- The film has lost key creative talent, including its production designer and supervising art director.
- Coppola is attempting to pivot from new virtual production technology to a more traditional greenscreen approach.
- Despite the setbacks, Coppola is determined to continue the production.
A Passion Project in Peril
Megalopolis has been a dream project for Francis Ford Coppola for decades. The 83-year-old director decided to self-finance the $120 million film, using funds from the sale of his Northern California wineries. The film, which centers on an architect’s quest to rebuild New York City as a utopia after a disaster, boasts a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Talia Shire, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman.
Crew Exodus and Budget Overruns
The production has been likened to Coppola’s infamous Apocalypse Now shoot, known for its chaotic and costly nature. In early December, Coppola fired almost his entire visual effects team, led by veteran Mark Russell. More recently, production designer Beth Mickle and supervising art director David Scott have also departed, leaving the film without an art department.
A source close to the production described the set as "absolute madness," and the Art Directors Guild is currently investigating the situation to determine the next steps.
Shifting Production Techniques
Initially, Coppola employed new virtual production technology similar to that used in The Mandalorian. However, as costs and challenges mounted, the production is now attempting to switch to a more traditional greenscreen approach. This pivot is expected to further inflate the budget, which has already exceeded initial estimates.
Coppola’s Determination
Despite the setbacks, Coppola remains committed to completing Megalopolis. He has begun hiring new staff to replace those who have left and continues to push forward with the project. In a previous interview, Coppola emphasized his desire to make the film his way, even if it means going against conventional Hollywood wisdom.
Coppola’s career has been marked by ambitious and often troubled productions. While some, like Apocalypse Now, have gone on to become classics, others have failed to perform at the box office. Whether Megalopolis will join the ranks of his greatest works or become another cautionary tale remains to be seen.
Sources
- Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ in Peril Amid Ballooning Budget, Crew Exodus (Exclusive), The Hollywood Reporter.
