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Movie Review: ‘Megalopolis’
Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

‘Megalopolis’, the long-awaited new film from legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (‘The Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’), finally opens in theaters on September 27th.

The film stars an all-star cast that includes Adam Driver (‘Ferrari’), Giancarlo Esposito (‘The Mandalorian’), Nathalie Emmanuel (‘The Killer’), Aubrey Plaza (‘Emily the Criminal’), Shia LaBeouf (‘Honey Boy’), Talia Shire (‘Rocky’), Jason Schwartzman (‘Asteroid City’), Grace VanderWall (‘Stargirl’), Chloe Fineman (‘Saturday Night Live’), Laurence Fishburne (‘Slingshot’), and Academy Award winners Jon Voight (‘Reagan’), and Dustin Hoffman (‘Wag the Dog’).

Related Article: Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver Discuss ‘Megalopolis’

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Writer/Director Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina on the set of ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Phil Caruso.

‘Megalopolis’ is the first film from Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola in thirteen years and a project he has been developing since 1977. The result is an exhilarating and complex motion picture that pushes the boundaries of cinema while exploring class and the fragility of societies.

Anchored by a fantastic ensemble of actors including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne and Aubrey Plaza, Coppola experiments with story, visual effects and even live-theatrical components. However, this movie is not for everyone, and will have its fair share of critics due to its experimental nature and a somewhat confusing script. But if you ignore that, and just go for the wild cinematic ride Coppola has created, you will be in awe of the director’s latest masterpiece.

Story and Direction

Writer/Director Francis Ford Coppola on the set of ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Phil Laruso.

Combining the Catilinarian conspiracy with modern day New York, ‘Megalopolis’ is set in a decaying metropolis called New Rome. An Idealistic architect named Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), who has the power to control space and time, seeks to demolish and rebuild the city into a sustainable utopia using a new material called “megalon”. Standing in his way is Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), the Mayor of New Rome who is committed to a regressive status quo.

Things get complicated for Cesar when he falls in love with Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter. Also, lurking in the shadows is Cesar’s cousin, Clodio (Shia LaBeouf), who along with his uncle Hamilton Crassus III (Jon Voight) and his new wife former TV journalist Wow Platinum (Aubrey Plaza), is plotting to destroy Cesar before he can build his new utopia.

Aubrey Plaza as Wow Platinum in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

Dense and complex, Coppola’s screenplay explores class warfare and how easily societies can fail. Mixing Roman mythology with what at times feels like a Shakespearian script, (Driver even recites the “To be, or not to be” speech from ‘Hamlet’ at one point), the story at times can seem convoluted but if that bothers you, then I think you are missing the point of Coppola’s film. And knowing how much of the script and story was found on the set by the actors through improvisation, to focus on the screenplay’s shortcomings is again, to miss the point of the movie entirely.

Arguably one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema after making ‘The Godfather’, ‘The Godfather II’, and ‘Apocalypse Now’, just to name a few, the true joy of ‘’Megalopolis’ is watching the master filmmaker experiment with the medium and create something unexpected and quite beautiful in its own way. Not only is Coppola experimenting with the themes of the movie, but he is also experimenting with filmmaking technologies he hasn’t used before like digital cameras, digital effects, and a fascinating live-theatrical stunt, unlike anything I’ve seen before in a movie theater, but more on that below.

Live Theatrical Experience

Grace Vanderwaal as Vesta Sweetwater in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

Towards the end of the second act, there is a moment when Driver’s Cesar is participating in a press conference. At that exact moment, the lights in the theater go on, and a person from the audience (obviously a plant) walks up to a microphone close to the screen. Then, in character, the “actor” asks the on-screen Cesar a question as if they are the reporter in the scene themselves. At least in my screening, the timing worked perfectly, and Cesar seemingly answered the member of the audience.

It’s obviously a constructed stunt, but I absolutely loved that Coppola decided to experiment in this way and it’s the moment when (faults and all) I really fell for this film. It’s a bold move, and one that I wish more filmmakers would take the risk to do. I’m not saying every movie should have a live component, but I would love to see more filmmakers play with the medium and experiment with techniques that are outside of the norm.

A Misunderstood Masterpiece?

Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero and Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

With the media seemingly wanting to see Coppola fail after rumors of production troubles, not to mention the experimental nature of the movie, reviews out of the film’s Cannes premiere have been mixed at best. But don’t listen to them, and don’t even listen to me, see the movie for yourself and make up your own mind! However, I would suggest seeing the film in IMAX, as it adds to Coppola’s vision and the overall experience of the movie.

While it’s unfair to compare ‘’Megalopolis’ to Coppola’s past work, it is important to remember (as the fake quotes in the film’s first trailer point out), films like ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ and yes, even ‘The Godfather’, received some mixed reviews upon release and of course have gone on to be considered cinematic classics. That may or may not eventually happen with ‘’Megalopolis’, but it is certainly a bold and intriguing movie, which is in stark contrast to the standard sequels and superhero films that litter our local cinema.

The Cast

Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

While the true star of ‘’Megalopolis’ in my opinion is Francis Ford Coppola, he has assembled a remarkable cast of actors, young and old, and the film is certainly anchored by Adam Driver’s strong performance. Driver embodies the character with an intelligence and an aloofness that only the former Kylo Ren actor could supply.

Veteran actor Giancarlo Esposito has finally become a household name thanks to his vast television work on hit shows like ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Boys’. This is Esposito’s first major role in a movie since his recent success, and while he once again plays the antagonist, the actor gives a very good performance.

Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

While purposely over-the-top at times, Shia LaBeouf gives a commanding performance as the sinister Clodio, and Oscar-winner Jon Voight is at his best in years as Hamilton Crassus III. Also excellent in her role is Aubrey Plaza, perfectly cast as a Barbara Walters meets Megyn Kelly type journalist more concerned with moving up society’s later than reporting the truth. Other strong supporting performances come from Laurence Fishburne (the film’s narrator) and Grace VanderWaal as a Taylor Swift type entertainer.

However, coming off an excellent performance in director John Woo’s remake of ‘The Killer’ is Nathalie Emmanuel, who is adequate as Julia, but has a hard time overcoming the shadows of the other heavyweights in the cast. Talia Shire (Coppola’s sister), Jason Schwartzman (Shire’s son and Coppola’s nephew), ‘Saturday Night Live’s Chloe Fineman and Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman are all welcomed additions to the cast, but unfortunately are not given enough to do.

Final Thoughts

Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

In the end, you may like ‘Megalopolis’ or you may not, but it is worth seeing in a theater, if for nothing else to experience a once in a lifetime theatrical experience from one of the greatest directors of all time.

‘Megalopolis’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘’Megalopolis’?

In a decaying metropolis called New Rome, Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) is an idealist architect who is granted a license by the federal government to demolish and rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia using a new material, “megalon”, which can give him the power to control space and time. His nemesis, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo. Torn between them is Franklyn’s socialite daughter and Cesar’s love interest Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), who, tired of the influence she inherited, searches for her life’s meaning.

Who is in the cast of ‘’Megalopolis’?
- Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina
- Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero
- Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero
- Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher
- Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III
- Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine
- Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina
- Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz
- Kathryn Hunter as Teresa Cicero
- Grace VanderWaal as Vesta Sweetwater
- Chloe Fineman as Clodia Pulcher
- James Remar as Charles Cothope
- D. B. Sweeney as Commissioner Stanley Hart
- Balthazar Getty as Aram Kazanjian
- Dustin Hoffman as Nush Berman
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ is scheduled for release on September 27, 2024.

Francis Ford Coppola Movies:
- ‘Dementia 13‘ (1963)
- ‘You’re a Big Boy Now‘ (1966)
- ‘Finian’s Rainbow‘ (1968)
- ‘The Rain People‘ (1969)
- ‘The Godfather‘ (1972)
- ‘The Conversation‘ (1974)
- ‘The Godfather Part II‘ (1974)
- ‘Apocalypse Now‘ (1979)
- ‘One from the Heart‘ (1982)
- ‘The Outsiders‘ (1983)
- ‘Rumble Fish‘ (1983)
- ‘The Cotton Club‘ (1984)
- ‘Peggy Sue Got Married‘ (1986)
- ‘Gardens of Stone‘ (1987)
- ‘Tucker: The Man and His Dream‘ (1988)
- ‘The Godfather Part III‘ (1990)
- ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula‘ (1992)
- ‘Jack‘ (1996)
- ‘The Rainmaker‘ (1997)
- ‘Youth Without Youth‘ (2007)
- ‘Tetro‘ (2010)
- ‘Twixt‘ (2023)
- ‘Megalopolis‘ (2024)
Buy Tickets: ‘Megalopolis’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Francis Ford Coppola Movies on Amazon
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September 24, 2024
‘Megalopolis’ Interview: Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver
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Opening in theaters on September 27th is the long-awaited new film from legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (‘The Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’) entitled ‘Megalopolis’. It is the first film from the Oscar winning director in thirteen years and a project he has been developing since 1977.

The film stars an all-star cast that includes Adam Driver (‘Ferrari’), Giancarlo Esposito (‘The Mandalorian’), Nathalie Emmanuel (‘The Killer’), Aubrey Plaza (‘Emily the Criminal’), Shia LaBeouf (‘Honey Boy’), Talia Shire (‘Rocky’), Jason Schwartzman (‘Asteroid City’), Grace VanderWall (‘Stargirl’), Chloe Fineman (‘Saturday Night Live’), Laurence Fishburne (‘Slingshot’), and Academy Award winners Jon Voight (‘Reagan’), and Dustin Hoffman (‘Wag the Dog’).

(L to R) Director Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver talk ‘Megalopolis’.

Related Article: Adam Driver Talks ‘Ferrari’ and Working with Director Michael Mann

Moviefone recently had the honor of speaking with legendary writer and director Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver about their work on ‘Megalopolis’, Coppola’s passion and dedication to get it made, the live theatrical aspect of the film, how he utilized new technology, Driver’s approach to his character, improvisation, and what he learned from working with Coppola.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

Writer/Director Francis Ford Coppola on the set of ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Phil Laruso.

Moviefone: To begin with, Mr. Coppola, can you talk about the spark of the idea for this film that excited you and what kept you passionate and determined over all these decades to finally get this movie made?

Francis Ford Coppola: When I started, I didn’t specifically start with this project. I just thought that since I had made so many films with different styles, I was curious what my style was. So, I just started to note down articles I read, or I had a collection I remember of political cartoons because cartoons tell a whole story in one image, and things I had read. After a while, I found that I was interested in the idea of doing a Roman epic because I had seen them as a kid, and I loved Roman epics. Then at one point, I read a particular Roman story about what was called the Catiline conspiracy. In that, it said that could happen in modern America because modern America has based itself on being Roman. That’s when it began to really take shape in this. Then I started to collect possibilities of what it might be like and how it might be done, and ultimately led to this incredible collaboration with my wonderful cast and with Adam and with the various people who supplied everything in the film, and we made ‘Megalopolis’ together.

(L to R) Writer/Director Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina on the set of ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Phil Caruso.

MF: Adam, what was this experience like for you working with Mr. Coppola, and what did you learn about filmmaking from watching the specific way that he makes movies?

Adam Driver: I think there’s maybe a misconception or an assumption that people make about directors that are like Francis that the atmosphere when you get on set is going to be very dictatorial, that it’s going to be “Do what I tell you to do”, or at least that’s just what the feedback that I get from people is, “Do you just say everything that he tells you to do?” That’s not actually what it’s like at all. He’s very disarming, which I guess should be no surprise because his movies feel that way. They all feel like everyone is pretty invested in what they’re doing because he gives you an incredible amount of trust, which it could easily have been the opposite of, “Move here because I said so, and I have a resume of films that have changed filmmaking as evidence that I know what I’m talking about”. That would’ve been a very compelling argument, but it’s the exact opposite. He makes you part of it because you have some authorship of it, you get obsessed with it and excited, and are invested and want to bring ideas to the table. Because he has such a, this is the understatement of the century, but an incredible film vocabulary that he is very good at picking the things that are in line with what he’s trying to make in an incredibly diplomatic way and discarding the things that aren’t what he needs. So, the thing I took from it is also, it felt like experimental theater in a way, where you can’t make a mistake, and setting an environment for people to feel comfortable to do whatever they wanted within the parameters. It is an experience that I didn’t have in film before, and I don’t think I’ll have again. Trying to take that to other films will be difficult.

Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

MF: Mr. Coppola, there is a staged moment in the film where someone from the theater’s audience stands up and interacts with Adam’s character on-screen. Can you talk about the choice to include this unusual experimental theatrical experience and how you were able to execute it?

FFC: Well, it’s interesting because the film didn’t have that scene at all in it, and it was Adam who said to me, “Remember we shot a sequence where the people asked questions. I miss that. I wish that were back in.” I said, “Well, let’s go find it and put it back in and see what you think,” and we did. Then we put it in, and I agreed with him that it was missing, and it was better with it. It wasn’t in it. It was his idea and we put it in, and then the only thing that happened is I thought, “Well, wouldn’t it be interesting if a real person brought the microphone over and put it there?” We tried it and it seemed to be exciting. I’m a guy who in a way still has one foot in theater and one foot in cinema and I haven’t forgotten my theatrical training as a kid. I love to combine the two, and that’s where that came from. We only had it because of this idea about actors and directors, I’ve heard it said, “Oh, that director got this great performance out of the actor.” Directors don’t get great performances out of actors. The actor does the performance. The director’s like a coach. He’s there to be able to say something helpful, hopefully at the right time, when the actor is trying to achieve something, just like a coach in a sports team says, “Why don’t you try thinking this?” If it helps, great. But the actor does the hard part, let’s face it. The director is there to just say the right thing at the right moment if you are lucky enough to have the right thing to say.

(L to R) Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo: Lionsgate.

MF: Adam, I understand there was quite a bit of improvisation on the set. Can you talk about your approach to playing Cesar, and did the improv help you find the character on set?

AD: There’s the version and what we had talked about. Francis told me some inspirations, not directly, but like Walter Gropius was somebody that we talked about. Robert Moses was another person, just to kind of get a sense. But what Francis was saying, he’s being a little modest. I think sometimes people say that idea, which sounds romantic, and in practice, never practice it, or they reserve it for press. But Francis really acts on his principles and everything that he’s describing is very rare, I think, to get that experience as an actor and to get the freedom to kind of come up with an idea and surprise yourself, and hopefully Francis. But he still is the one that’s making that happen, so you wouldn’t get that movie obviously, if Francis wasn’t kind of conducting all these kinds of wild personalities. So, it all kind of was found by the other actors that I’m acting with, the props, how (Cinematographer) Mihai (Mălaimare Jr.) was shooting it with Francis and all Francis’ direction. He kind of set up the rules. The first day of shooting was something really and I remember at one point, Francis said, “We’re not being brave enough,” and that was like, “Oh, that’s probably the best piece of direction I’ve ever been given,” and that set the tone for the rest of the film.

Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero and Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

MF: Finally, Mr. Coppola, obviously the tools used to make films has changed a lot since you began making movies with advances in digital cameras, visual effects, and editing software. Can you talk about how you were able to implement those new tools into your style of filmmaking?

FFC: Well, I think Orson Wells once said that a lot of those aspects of movies, you can learn in a weekend. But fundamentally, the two main components of cinema are acting and writing. That’s not something you can learn over the weekend. I mean, you can’t have a great movie without wonderful acting. You need some kind of good writing. Everything else is you can take great liberties with and choose to use or not to use. Just because there’s some new development that is possibly revolutionary doesn’t mean you have to use it or must use it in the way they’re using it. We did use a technique that falls in that category, what’s known as the volume. It’s when they have this huge space and it’s a huge LED screen. But we used it a different way. We put the scene that we shot very high, and so if they’re walking along up there and fall, they’re going to fall 15 feet into a net, and so that the actors would be a little trepidatious about walking around too casually up there. He (Adam) wasn’t afraid of it, but Natalie (Emmanuel) was. When she walked, you could feel she didn’t want to fall. So, I mean, as I said, you can use things, but you don’t have to use them in the way that they were invented for.
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What is the plot of ‘’Megalopolis’?

In a decaying metropolis called New Rome, Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) is an idealist architect who is granted a license by the federal government to demolish and rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia using a new material, “megalon”, which can give him the power to control space and time. His nemesis, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo. Torn between them is Franklyn’s socialite daughter and Cesar’s love interest Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), who, tired of the influence she inherited, searches for her life’s meaning.

Who is in the cast of ‘’Megalopolis’?
- Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina
- Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero
- Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero
- Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher
- Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III
- Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine
- Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina
- Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz
- Kathryn Hunter as Teresa Cicero
- Grace VanderWaal as Vesta Sweetwater
- Chloe Fineman as Clodia Pulcher
- James Remar as Charles Cothope
- D. B. Sweeney as Commissioner Stanley Hart
- Balthazar Getty as Aram Kazanjian
- Dustin Hoffman as Nush Berman
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ is scheduled for release on September 27, 2024.

Francis Ford Coppola Movies:
- ‘Dementia 13‘ (1963)
- ‘You’re a Big Boy Now‘ (1966)
- ‘Finian’s Rainbow‘ (1968)
- ‘The Rain People‘ (1969)
- ‘The Godfather‘ (1972)
- ‘The Conversation‘ (1974)
- ‘The Godfather Part II‘ (1974)
- ‘Apocalypse Now‘ (1979)
- ‘One from the Heart‘ (1982)
- ‘The Outsiders‘ (1983)
- ‘Rumble Fish‘ (1983)
- ‘The Cotton Club‘ (1984)
- ‘Peggy Sue Got Married‘ (1986)
- ‘Gardens of Stone‘ (1987)
- ‘Tucker: The Man and His Dream‘ (1988)
- ‘The Godfather Part III‘ (1990)
- ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula‘ (1992)
- ‘Jack‘ (1996)
- ‘The Rainmaker‘ (1997)
- ‘Youth Without Youth‘ (2007)
- ‘Tetro‘ (2010)
- ‘Twixt‘ (2023)
- ‘Megalopolis‘ (2024)
Buy Tickets: ‘Megalopolis’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Francis Ford Coppola Movies on Amazon
September 23, 2024
‘Megalopolis’ Lands U.S. Distribution with Lionsgate
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ is scheduled for release on September 27, 2024.

Preview:
- Francis Ford Coppola has made a deal with Lionsgate to release ‘Megalopolis’.
- The filmmaker’s passion project stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito and Nathalie Emmanuel.
- Coppola poured millions of his own money into making the movie.
Given how much time and money Francis Ford Coppola had poured into making his latest passion project, the epic known as ‘Megalopolis’, things were looking a little grim.

Coppola, the man behind movies such as ‘The Godfather’ trilogy and ‘Apocalypse Now’ had been looking to bring ‘Megalopolis’ to life for years but hadn’t found anyone to invest fully.

So the filmmaker went ahead and sold a chunk of his vineyard business to drum up the cash himself, tracking down a cast and getting under way.

Then came reports of trouble on set, with effects issues and even accusations of inappropriate behavior by the director (an issue which has yet to be settled either way).
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Finally, Coppola finished the film and screened it for potential distributors in Los Angeles, to reportedly zero interest. He scored a slot at Cannes and that has sparked wildly divisive reviews, many calling out its gonzo storytelling and performances.

Yet after the festival screening, there has been a big turnaround in the movie’s fortunes, Coppola securing a raft of international distribution deals across the world.

And today brings word that Lionsgate has scored a deal to distribute the movie here in the States, and to handle its home entertainment release.

What’s the story of ‘Megalopolis’?

(L to R) Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo: Lionsgate.

The fate of Rome haunts a modern world (and a city that’s essentially an alternate New York) unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius, and conflicting interests.

‘Megalopolis’ essential clash is between Cesar (Adam Driver), a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare.

Caught between the two? Franklyn’s socialite daughter and Cesar’s love interest, Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), who, tired of the influence she inherited, searches for her life’s meaning.

Who else is in ‘Megalopolis’?

Jon Voight as Byrne in ‘The Painter.’ Photo: Republic Pictures.

Coppola has rounded up quite the ensemble for this one. Surrounding the three leads are Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe Fineman, James Remar, D. B. Sweeney, Isabelle Kusman, Bailey Ives, Madeleine Gardella and Dustin Hoffman.

Related Article: Oscar-winner Jon Voight Talks ‘Mercy’ and ‘Megalopolis’

‘Megalopolis’ Domestic Release: Coppola Speaks

Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.

Here’s the statement the director released about the new deal:

“One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritized (to my benefit) is to continue working with companies and teams who over time have proven to be good friends as well as great collaborators. This is why I am thrilled to have Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate Studios release ‘Megalopolis’. I am confident they will apply the same tender love and care given to ‘Apocalypse Now’, which is currently in its 45th year of astounding revenue and appreciation.”

And here’s Lionsgate boss Adam Fogelson’s comment:

“Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him, and to bring this incredible, audacious, and utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences. At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and ‘Megalopolis’ proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.”

When will ‘Megalopolis’ be in a theater near me?

Lionsgate has set a September 27th release date for the movie.

Al Pacino, Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro onstage during the 50th anniversary tribute of “The Godfather” at the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Other Francis Ford Coppola Movies:
- ‘Finian’s Rainbow‘ (1968)
- ‘The Rain People‘ (1969)
- ‘The Godfather‘ (1972)
- ‘The Conversation‘ (1974)
- ‘The Godfather Part II‘ (1974)
- ‘Apocalypse Now‘ (1979)
- ‘One from the Heart‘ (1982)
- ‘The Outsiders‘ (1983)
- ‘Rumble Fish‘ (1983)
- ‘The Cotton Club‘ (1984)
- ‘Peggy Sue Got Married‘ (1986)
- ‘Gardens of Stone‘ (1987)
- ‘Tucker: The Man and His Dream‘ (1988)
- ‘The Godfather Part III‘ (1990)
- ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula‘ (1992)
- ‘Jack‘ (1996)
- ‘The Rainmaker‘ (1997)
- ‘Youth Without Youth‘ (2007)
- ‘Tetro‘ (2009)
- ‘Twixt‘ (2012)
Buy Francis Ford Coppola Movies on Amazon
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June 17, 2024
New JFK Movie ‘Assassination’ Lands Barry Levinson To Direct
Director Barry Levinson. Photo: Golden Globes.

Preview
- Barry Levinson is going to direct ‘Assassination,’ a new film about the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
- Writer David Mamet was initially set to direct the picture himself before stepping aside.
- Starring Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen, and others, the movie will focus on the theory that JFK was taken out by members of the Mafia.
The murder of President John F. Kennedy, along with one of the major conspiracy theories about who was behind it, is coming back to the big screen for the first time in over 30 years.

Announced earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie ‘Assassination’ has landed a director in Barry Levinson, according to Deadline.

David Mamet, who wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Celozzi, was slated to direct the film, but has now stepped away from that role and turned it over to Levinson. The latter is known for films like ‘Good Morning, Vietnam,’ ‘Bugsy,’ and ‘Rain Man,’ as well as more recent efforts like the Hulu miniseries ‘Dopesick,’ on which he executive produced and directed two episodes.

Who is in the cast?

Al Pacino at the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Levinson will oversee a cast that includes Al Pacino, John Travolta, Viggo Mortensen, Shia LaBeouf, and Courtney Love. Pacino will play Tony Accardo, a powerful figure in the Mafia’s Chicago organization, known as the Chicago Outfit.

And yes, in case you didn’t get the hint from that casting, ‘Assassination’ will focus on the theory that the Mafia, specifically Chicago boss Sam Giancana, was behind the murder of JFK in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

According to speculation, the Mafia wanted revenge after supposedly helping to get Kennedy elected, only to see his administration go after organized crime with increased fervor.

Related Article: 20 Best John Travolta Movies of All Time

Standing in the shadow of ‘JFK’

Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison in director Oliver Stone’s ‘JFK.’

The last major American motion picture to chronicle the assassination of President Kennedy and present it as the result of a massive conspiracy was Oliver Stone’s 1991 masterpiece, ‘JFK.’

The film, which was nominated for Best Picture, starred Kevin Costner as New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison, who attempted to prove that alleged lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald did not shoot the president and was instead the fall guy for a plot – a coup d’état — that reached into the upper echelons of the CIA and the U.S. military.

Stone’s movie downplayed the involvement of the Mafia, suggesting that organized crime was at best a supporting player in the conspiracy. The controversial film launched a debate and outcry that actually led to the release of nearly all classified files related to Kennedy’s murder by 2017.

Since the release of ‘JFK,’ only a few fleeting films, such as ‘Ruby’ (1992), Stone’s own ‘Nixon’ (1995), and Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ (2019), have touched on the idea that others beside Oswald were behind the death of Kennedy.

As for ‘Assassination,’ this marks the third time that Levinson and Mamet have worked together, with Levinson directing 1997’s ‘Wag the Dog’ from Mamet’s script and executive producing the writer-director’s 2013 HBO movie ‘Phil Spector.’

Levinson has also directed Pacino in three earlier pictures, including ‘The Humbling,’ ‘You Don’t Know Jack,’ and ‘Paterno.’ There’s no word yet on when filming for ‘Assassination’ will begin, pending the resolution of the current SAG-AFTRA strike, and no release date or distributor has been set.

Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

Movies Similar to ‘Assasination’:
- ‘JFK‘ (1991)
- ‘Ruby‘ (1992)
- ‘Forrest Gump‘ (1994)
- ‘Nixon‘ (1995)
- ‘Wag the Dog‘ (1997)
- ‘Thirteen Days‘ (2000)
- ‘You Don’t Know Jack‘ (2010)
- ‘The Butler‘ (2013)
- ‘Killing Kennedy‘ (2013)
- ‘Phil Spector‘ (2013)
- ‘The Humbling‘ (2015)
- ‘Jackie‘ (2016)
- ‘Paterno‘ (2018)
- ‘The Irishman‘ (2019)
Buy Barry Levinson Movies On Amazon
October 20, 2023
‘Mercy’ Interview: Jon Voight Talks New Action Thriller
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Opening in select theaters on May 12th and on digital May 19th is the new action thriller ‘Mercy,’ from director Tony Dean Smith (‘Summerhood’).

What is the plot of ‘Mercy?’

‘Mercy’ tells the story of an ex-military doctor named Michelle (Leah Gibson), who finds herself in a deadly battle for survival when the Irish mafia family, the Quinns (Jon Voight and Jonathan Rhys Meyers), seize control of the hospital at which she works. When her son (Anthony Bolognese) is taken hostage, she is forced to rely upon her battle-hardened past and lethal skills after realizing there’s no one left to save the day but her.
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Who is in the cast of ‘Mercy?’

‘Mercy’ stars Leah Gibson (‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’) as Michelle, Jonathan Rhys Meyers (‘Mission: Impossible III’) as Sean Quinn, Oscar-winner Jon Voight (‘Heat,’ ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Transformers’) as Patrick Quinn, Sebastian Roberts as Ellis, Anthony Konechny as Ryan Quinn, Patrick Roccas as Johnno, Anthony Bolognese as Bobby, Bradley Stryker as Mick, Caitlin Stryker as Agent Cruz, Mark Masterton as Danny, Ryan Russell as Nurse Kevin, Bobby Stewart as Dr. Terrence, and Marc-Anthony Massiah as Frank.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Oscar-winner Jon Voight about his work on ‘Mercy,’ what he brings to a project, performing violent scenes, performing with an Irish accent, his character’s relationship with his sons, working with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Leah Gibson, collaborating with director Tony Dean Smith, and his work on acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming ‘Megalopolis.’

Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn in ‘Mercy.’

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

Moviefone: To begin with, Patrick Quinn is a great character for you to play, did you recognize that when you first read the script and what were some of the aspects of the character you were excited to explore in this film?

Jon Voight: I think because I’ve gotten to a certain age, people are coming to me with roles that are suitable, and that I have to play a patriarch of this kind, even though he is a very negative kind of character or comes from that culture. But it was exciting to me in a certain sense, it seemed like a good opportunity to express many things. An opportunity to work with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who I think is a sensational actor, and a great talent. Then we introduced this wonderful gal Leah Gibson too. So I was excited to work on this piece. I thought I could help it. When I came into it, I said, “Well, I think I can do something with this thing.”

MF: Can you expand on that idea? Are there certain projects that you are offered that you feel like your presence in the movie can help elevate the film?

JV: Well, I think I’m very collaborative with the directors and producers to do something that has a meaning for me. I thought that I could enrich the family dilemma and not make it so black and white in a certain sense. These people are human, you want to find out what their humanity is and see what their thinking is. So you are really getting to know these people, and when we get to know people, you root for them a little bit. You hope they can pull things off. Then you see somebody who’s going way off the road like Jonathan’s character, my son Sean, in the picture. Yet he’s very exciting because he’s so brilliant at this kind of negativity, this character. He can bring it forth, he can scare you, and that’s what he does in this film. He’s really a brilliant actor and this is a role very suitable for him. So we had things that we could do and then I was able to, I think, add something to it as well.

Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn in ‘Mercy.’

Related Article: Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel and Forest Whittaker will Lead ‘Megalopolis’

MF: I loved the Irish accent that your character has in the movie. Was that already in your actor’s bag of tricks or did you work with a vocal coach to get it right?

JV: No. We worked with people. They have people who work with accents, and the young woman that worked on it with us, I found to be excellent. She was able to work with all of the people in our group, which was a team of this family of criminals. She got us all up to a certain level. But we were working with Jonathan Rhys Myers, who’s from County Cork, and knows those accents. He can do any kind of accent, and we had to be authentic next to him, which was a big challenge. But he was always encouraging and helpful.

MF: You have a particularly violent scene where your character is threatening another member of his crew. Was it fun to shoot that sequence and act really menacing in that moment?

JV: Yeah, it was fun, actually. But I mean, I said, “We have to have this in the picture.” I said, “Because you have to know who he is. He has to be dangerous. You have to see why he’s the head of this group.” Do you see what I mean? And he establishes that in that one gesture. So then you say, “Oh, this guy, there’s a reason why he’s the head of this wild group.”

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Sean Quinn in ‘Mercy.’

MF: Do you look for moments like that when you’re reading a script, a moment that really explains who the character is very clearly for the audience?

JV: Well, it’s in the storytelling of things, yes. It’s very important that people know who he is. That’s a seminal moment. That’s a step, “Boom, there he is, like that.” He can go like that. He can turn and, “Boom, he’s dangerous.” Of course, in order to run a mob, you have to be that dangerous. You have to have that kind of capacity to scare the hell out of everybody else. To say, “Well, you play games with me and it’s going to be a certain kind of violent ending.” That kind of thing. That was an important moment, actually. But the other thing is that each of the young men in it who played my team, the muscle in that piece, they did a great job. They worked hard on it, and they did their accents beautifully, but they really cared about it. They’re nice little pieces of that film that are given over to these cameos, and I really thought the cast came up to the challenge.

(L to R) Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Sean Quinn in ‘Mercy.’

MF: Patrick has two sons, Sean and Ryan, and he clearly favors Ryan over Sean. Can you talk about that family dynamic and how it is the catalyst for what happens at the hospital?

JV: Well, he has two sons in the picture, and he’s a fellow that came from Ireland as an alien to this country and found a home here at one point. He came from a violent background in Ireland, but he really was concerned about his older child, Sean. He was concerned about this child because he was going in the wrong way. That’s really something because he’s from a family that’s equated with some violence too. But he was going off the deep end, getting involved with terrorists, alcohol and all this stuff. So he came to this country, came to the States to actually change the direction of his son, and his other son, Ryan caught the idea and was on his way to a healthy life apart from the family and was encouraged by his father. But Sean went the other way and became a destructive factor. That’s what we see in the film, a man dealing with a son that’s dangerous to himself and to others. I think it’s an interesting dilemma. So you feel for the father that he’s lost his son to this, and that becomes a richer part of the film. I was excited to explore that dimension and to work with this great actor, Jonathan Rhys Myers, and of course Leah Gibson, who plays the American military hero of the picture, and is a considerable actor and a very new face.

MF: Did you know Jonathan Rhys Meyers before making this movie, and what was it like working with him on ‘Mercy?’

JV: I had made one film with Jonathan, and we both liked each other so much. We were so appreciative of each other’s talent. Steven Paul, the producer of this film, had worked on the other film and in order to get this film made, he called Jonathan and said, “Well, Jon Voight’s going to do it.” Then Jonathan said, “Well, if he’s going to do it, I’ll do it.” Steven then told me, “Jonathan Rhys Meyers is going to do it.” So I said, “Well, if Jonathan Rhys Meyers is going to do it, then I’m going to do it.” So he captured us both by using our affection for each other to get this movie made. I have an affection for Jonathan that should be said. I really like him, and I know him only a little, but I know a lot about him and I know his talent. So a lot of it is real, it’s just the way I deal with him. His response to me is real in a certain way because he sees me as a certain kind of figure, and I could be his father. Do you know what I mean? What does a father mean to him, you see? So we had a lot of exciting energy there. I really like this fella, and I hope I work again with him. His performance here is really quite amazing.

Leah Gibson as Michelle in ‘Mercy.’

MF: The movie is kind of like ‘Die Hard’ in a hospital, and in those terms, Leah Gibson definitely plays the John McClane role. What was it like working with her and watching her lead this project?

JV: Well, she’s a terrific person. The first time I met her, I recommended her to Steven Paul, the producer. I said, “I think she can do this.” I laughed with her, I must say, I was just delighted in talking to her the first time I spoke to her. But since then, I’ve seen work she did on a stage piece that was absolutely phenomenal. So she’s a big talent, and she had never played a part like this, actually. So it was an unusual transition, but she had all the physical capability and she’s a serious actor. So it was a great thing for her to be the movie star in this piece.

MF: What was it like collaborating on this project with director Tony Dean Smith?

JV: Well, this director, Tony Dean Smith, he thinks of himself as a writer, essentially. He’s written several scripts. He’s young and he’s looking for ways to express himself. He was editing a picture that we had done before, a picture called ‘Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders’. The director of that film, Sean McNamara, is a wonderful filmmaker, and he recommended Steven to me and said that he was talented. He said, “Look at this fellow, because he’s got some talent.” There was several things about him initially in ‘Dangerous Game,’ his understanding of the music of the film, and his choice of the music for the Temp Dub. Well, he was very good at that, and he was a good editor. He knew film. He had a nice way about himself with actors. You could tell he had a lot of gifts toward this, very smart, very hardworking, and all this stuff. So Steven gave him a chance to direct it and I think he came through very beautifully with a limited schedule and all of that too. So you have to be pretty smart about where you put the camera and how you deal with it, and how you stay on point and stay on schedule. But, he did a good job, and that’s wonderful. I’m so glad for him because I think he deserves to be in this business and do more pieces now.

Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.

MF: Finally, what was it like for you working with Francis Ford Coppola on the upcoming ‘Megalopolis,’ and watching the acclaimed filmmaker execute his vision for the project that he has been working on for over 40 years?

JV: Well, it’s a very ambitious film. It’s unusual in this time to see somebody step out and do something that no nobody’s ever seen before. This is a time when everybody’s trying to follow somebody else, and he didn’t. He’s saying, “This is my vision.” People would maybe try to take him off that over the years, but he said, “No, this is what I want to do.” I was very honored to be part of it, that I could work with him again, because I worked with him on ‘The Rainmaker,’ John Grisham‘s movie with Matt Damon. We got along very well. So he said, “Well, there’s a part in this for you.” He stuck by his guns too, as people probably said, “You’re working with Jon Voight, are you out of your mind?” Whatever it is. He said, “No, he’s a person I’ve worked with before. I get along with him. I like him.” So I was honored to be working on the film. Then they had these great actors. Adam Driver is a wonderful actor, a very unique personality, and a serious artist. The same can be said of Shia LaBeouf. Shia LaBeouf, of course, I worked with him on ‘Holes’ and on his breakthrough performance in ‘Transformers.’ I really love this fellow’s work, and he has a very powerful role in ‘Megalopolis.’ Then I was able to work with Aubrey Plaza, who was somebody I had no real connection with, I hadn’t seen some of the things that she had done. But boy, I think she’s such a gifted person and has enormous talent and potential. So these three are three of the top actors of this generation. So Francis was very clever about that. We’ll see what happens. This is an unusual piece. No one’s ever seen anything like it before. I’m interested to see how it’s going to finish up.

Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn in ‘Mercy.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Mercy:’
- ‘Die Hard‘ (1988)
- ‘Die Hard 2‘ (1990)
- ‘Passenger 57‘ (1992)
- ‘Under Siege’ (1992)
- ‘Under Siege 2: Dark Territory‘ (1995)
- ‘Sudden Death‘ (1995)
- ‘Die Hard: With a Vengeance‘ (1995)
- ‘The Rock‘ (1996)
- ‘Live Free or Die Hard‘ (2007)
- ‘A Good Day to Die Hard‘ (2013)
- ‘White House Down‘ (2013)
- ‘Olympus Has Fallen‘ (2013)
- ‘London Has Fallen‘ (2016)
- ‘Angel Has Fallen‘ (2019)
- ‘The Best Man‘ (2023)
Buy Jon Voight Movies On Amazon

‘Mercy’ is set to release in select theaters on May 12th and on digital May 19th.
May 19, 2023
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Reportedly in Trouble

Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.

Francis Ford Coppola is taking a huge risk to make his latest giant movie, ‘Megalopolis’, one that he’s been trying to wrangle into production for two decades. He’s poured millions of his own money into the movie, and while he announced a cast and kicked off shooting late last year, it would appear that there are now big problems with the film.

‘Megalopolis’, in case it somehow escaped your attention, is an ambitious story with Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Talia Shire, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman and Dustin Hoffman starring.

The story is mostly a mystery, but reportedly focuses on an architect who seeks to rebuild New York City––or possibly a metropolis based on it––as a utopia after a disaster.

With Coppola stumping up the $120 million budget, the Hollywood Reporter has now heard from sources that it’s descending into costly chaos. As in, budget-inflating chaos.

A plan to shoot using ‘Mandalorian’-style volume techniques (virtual production, where backgrounds are projected onto giant LED screens) has apparently been abandoned in favor of less costly, more traditional greenscreen.

Several department heads, including the production designer and supervising art director, plus the entire effects team have left or been replaced. “It was absolute madness, being on set,” reports an agent for someone in the film who had visited the production.

‘Megalopolis’ is roughly halfway through an estimated 80-90-day shoot, and the director is reportedly pressing on, hiring new team members.

Sensing that the reports would negatively impact his film, Coppola has begun the damage control process, talking with rival trade site Deadline and seeking to assure that the production is continuing and that he’s confident in his work.

“I’ve never worked on a film where I was so happy with the cast,” Coppola said. “I am so happy with the look and that we are so on schedule. These reports never say who these sources are. To them, I say, ha, ha, just wait and see. Because this is a beautiful film and primarily so because the cast is so great. I’ve never enjoyed working with a cast who are so hardworking and so willing to go search for the unconventional, to come upon hidden solutions. It is a thrill to work with these actors and the photography is everything I could hope for. The dailies are great. So if we’re on schedule, and I love the actors and the look is great, I don’t know what anyone’s talking about here.”

“My cast is the most wonderful group of actors, who are doing beautiful work and there isn’t one case of where I wish I had cast another way,” Coppola added. “Every night I go see the dailies, and I understand why I am going through all of this. I love what I see, every night. The look of the film is exactly what I dreamed.”

Adam Driver in Sony’s ’65.’

Star Driver, meanwhile, was even more vehement that all was well.

“I’d like to briefly respond to The Hollywood Reporter article published Monday, January 9th,” he said. “All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it. The environment that’s being created by Francis, is one of focus and inspiration. As of now, we’re on schedule, making our days, and honestly, it’s been one of the best shooting experiences I’ve had. Our crew is fast and inventive, our costume department is on point, the actors are incredible and willing, and Francis is one of the most insightful and caring people to work with. I’m very proud to be making this movie with him, and them, and though I haven’t interviewed everyone, I can confidently say that that’s the general attitude on set.”

But wait! There’s more…

“Yes, it is true that the art department resigned and VFX were let go,” Driver continues. “Not all departments find cohesion on films and rather than suffer through and making decisions that leave a lasting impression on the film, people quit, get fired, or part ways. It’s unfortunate when it happens, but this production is not out of pocket in comparison to other productions; especially to the point that it merits an article about us descending into chaos. That characterization is inaccurate. No one signed up for this movie expecting the process to be conventional. We were expecting the opposite in the pursuit of making something unique. The only madness I’ve observed is that more productions aren’t allowed to be as creatively wild and experimentally focused, precisely because someone else is paying for it. It’s an effort and risk by Francis that I feel should be applauded, not publicly mischaracterized as troubled.”

The answer, most likely, is somewhere in between, but Coppola has had a history of chaotic shoot that––a little like James Cameron’s experiences with ‘Titanic’––resulted in classic movies. ‘Apocalypse Now’ was infamous for its tribulations, and there is an entire documentary, ‘Hearts of Darkness’ that chronicles its rollercoaster shoot.

It remains to be seen whether ‘Megalopolis’ ends up with similar status or even among the director’s best movies. Let’s not forget that this is also the man who made ‘The Godfather’ movies and ‘The Conversation’. He’s a multiple Oscar winner and no one would doubt that he knows what he’s doing when it comes to making films. It’s just that his passion has a habit of leading him down conflicting paths.

Either way, we’re hoping that someone has been filming behind the scenes on this one––it has the makings of another classic documentary.

‘Megalopolis’ has yet to score a release date and may well not hit theaters until next year. But now we’re even more eager to see it.

Al Pacino, Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro onstage during the 50th anniversary tribute of “The Godfather” at the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
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January 10, 2023
Shia LaBeouf Joins ‘Megalopolis’

Shia LaBeouf in 2019’s ‘Honey Boy.’

At lot of recent headlines around Shia LaBeouf have not been positive. There have been the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ exchanges leaked between LaBeouf and director Olivia Wilde, leading to a she-said, Shia-said story about why he left the movie – she claims she fired him; he argues that he left because there wasn’t enough rehearsal time.

Then there’s his mea culpa on both his abusive treatment of ex-girlfriend, musician FKA Twigs and his admission that his based-on-truth tale ‘Honey Boy’ about his younger days and his troubled relationship with his father was not based on so much truth as he claimed.

Still, he’s looking to get his career back on track and scored a big new job. He’ll be one of the leads in Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’, according to Giant Freakin’ Robot.

The director’s passion project, a hugely ambitious movie he’s been trying to bring to life for 20 years, is crawling towards reality. After a false start or two, he recently locked in Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whittaker, Jon Voight, and Laurence Fishburne for the cast.

Alongside LaBeouf, Coppola has also added the likes of Talia Shire (Coppola’s sister) Jason Schwartzman (Shire’s son), Grace Vanderwaal, Kathryn Hunter and James Remar.

Jason Schwartzman in 1998’s ‘Rushmore.’

Strict story details are sketchy, but the logline is equally ambitious: The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius, and conflicting interests. To be a little clearer on that, it’ll focus on political and social wrangling in a giant city (modeled on, or even actually, New York) looking to rebuild after a disaster.

The quest to make this one has consumed Coppola in recent years, and he’s pouring a lot of his own money into making the movie. With a budget in the region of $100 million, it’s a project that has seen backers come and go, but he’s finally setting up a shoot for the fall.

Speaking to Deadline, Coppola outlined why he’s really making this movie. What would make me really happy? It’s not winning a lot of Oscars because I already have a lot and maybe more than I deserve. And it’s not that I make a lot of money, although I think over time it will make a lot of money because anything that the people keep looking at and finding new things, that makes money,” he says.

Coppola adds: “So somewhere down the line, way after I’m gone, all I want is for them to discuss ‘Megalopolis’ and, is the society we’re living in the only one available to us? How can we make it better? Education, mental health? What the movie really is proposing is that utopia is not a place. It’s how can we make everything better? Every year, come up with two, three or four ideas that make it better. I would be smiling in my grave if I thought something like that happened, because people talk about what movies really mean if you give them something.”

‘Megalopolis’ has yet to set a release date. As for LaBeouf, he’ll next be seen in Abel Ferrara’s ‘Padre Pio’, due for its debut at the Venice Film Festival’s Venice Days section.

Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
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September 2, 2022
Watch Shia LaBeouf and Bobby Soto in the trailer for ‘The Tax Collector’

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen Shia LaBeouf display an impressive (and maybe unexpected) versatility as an actor, and his next film looks like it will continue that trend. In ‘The Tax Collector,’ LaBeouf is playing a stone-cold bagman for a Los Angeles crime lord. Bobby Soto is playing his partner, and David Ayer (Suicide Squad) is directing.

Here’s the official synopsis:

David (Bobby Soto) and Creeper (Shia LaBeouf), are “tax collectors” for the crime lord Wizard, collecting his cut from the profits of local gangs’ illicit dealings. But when Wizard’s old rival returns to Los Angeles from Mexico, the business is upended, and David finds himself desperate to protect what matters more to him than anything else: his family.

Director David Ayer previously worked with LaBeouf on the gritty WWII drama ‘Fury,’ and Ayer’s 2012 film ‘End of Watch’ might also be a good indication of how tense this new film will be.

‘The Tax Collector’ will be in theaters, on demand and digital on August 7.

July 14, 2020
Robert De Niro and Shia LaBeouf to Star as Father and Son in ‘After Exile’

Sony Pictures Classics; Lionsgate Premiere

A partial film family has formed.

Robert De Niro and Shia LaBeouf have joined the upcoming drama “After Exile” and will star as father and son, Deadline reports. They’ll portray characters based on real people. The script was written by Anthony Thorne and Michael Tovo, and it draws inspiration from Tovo’s life.

Joshua Michael Stern (“Jobs”) will direct the film. It follows Mike Delaney (LaBeouf) as he reenters his old life after time in prison. He and his father, Ted Delaney (De Niro), another ex-con, try to keep Mike’s younger brother from getting into a life of drugs and crime. It’s said to be a story about the hard road to forgiveness and redemption.

De Niro is a two-time Academy Award winner, earning the awards for his roles in “The Godfather Part II” and “Raging Bull.” More recently, he starred in “The Comedian,” and he’ll be seen in the much-anticipated upcoming films “Joker” and “The Irishman.” LaBeouf’s latest, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” hit theaters this month, and he’ll next be seen in “Honey Boy,” which is loosely based on his own childhood. He’s also starred in films like “American Honey” and “Man Down.”

“After Exile” comes from Pacifc Shore Films, with producers Anthony Thorne and Steve Snyder. Les Cohen will executive produce. Production is set to begin in Philadelphia in October.

[via: Deadline]

August 12, 2019
‘Honey Boy’ Trailer Chronicles Shia LaBeouf’s Fictionalized Childhood

Amazon Studios

Shia LaBeouf is exorcising some childhood demons with “Honey Boy.”

LaBeouf wrote the script for the Sundance darling, which is a thinly-veiled autobiography of his own troubled childhood and stormy relationship with his father.

Amazon Studios dropped a new trailer for the film today. Noah Jupe stars as a child actor on an unnamed TV show (but is totally “Even Stevens”), with LaBeouf playing his manipulative and toxic father, Otis Lort, who is an ex-rodeo clown and felon.

Lucas Hedges play the adult version of Otis, who is now a major movie star but also gets into drunken car accidents. The parallels to LaBeouf during his “Transformers” phase are unmistakeable.

The deeply personal story is handled with grace by director Alma Har’el. The film received rave reviews at Sundance earlier this year and won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Vision and Craft.

“Honey Boy” opens in theaters November 8.

August 8, 2019