Francis Ford Coppola has been trying to get Megalopolis into people’s eyes for decades. It’s only recently that fate’s gone Coppola’s way with a theatrical US release in September (and its eventual physical release) courtesy of Lionsgate, but if you thought all’s well that ends well, you’d be mistaken.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, the deal between Coppola and Lionsgate only concerns the movie being put onto 1,500 screens, meaning the marketing bill falls into Coppola’s lap. Before the studio came into the picture, it’s said that possible marketing was a point of contention for potential distributors after they watched Megalopolis in March and were fairly baffled by what they saw. With the marketing bill projected to be between $15-$20 million, it’s unclear how the marketing will take shape. Either way, that’s a hefty tab for the filmmaker and its reportedly troubled (and controversial) production up to this point.
Coppola poured $120 million of his own money into Megalopolis, which is generally expected to potentially be his final film. Lionsgate’s previously handled home releases for his earlier movies, and is also aiming to furthr put this movie on IMAX screens (which IMAX was already banking on doing, regardless of whether any studio would distribute the film). While in theaters, screenings will also feature a reporter who asks questions to Adam Driver’s onscreen chaacter Cesar midway through the movie “when at all possible.”
Given that and the mixed reactions from those who’ve seen it thus far, Megalopolis is going to be one for the ages when it comes to theaters on September 27. Whether it’s good or bad, it’ll surely be one of the most talked about films of 2024.
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