Francis Ford Coppola’s 'Megalopolis' struggles to secure distribution deal
Even with a star-studded cast, including Adam Driver, Shia LeBeouf, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and Zendaya, Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' is reportedly finding trouble with distribution.
The film began development in 1983 and was produced at a reported cost of $120 million, partly funded by the sale of a portion of his wine business for over $500 million in 2021.
The film, spanning two hours and 15 minutes, depicts the reconstruction of a city after accidental destruction, featuring conflicting visions of an idealistic architect and a pragmatic mayor.
Notable figures from the film industry, including executives from Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix, and Paramount, attended screenings but expressed skepticism about its marketability. One distributor told The Hollywood Reporter, “There is just no way to position this movie.”
Originally, Coppola envisioned a substantial marketing campaign with a budget of $40 million domestically and $80-100 million globally. However, larger studios like Universal's Focus have declined to pursue distribution.
Small boutique labels like A24 and Neon have shown interest, but their limited budgets may not support Coppola's marketing ambitions.
After the lackluster reception to the March 28 screening, the prospect of a studio agreeing to either a negative pickup deal, where the studio purchases the film outright, or a fee-based distribution deal is now uncertain.
One studio executive characterized it as "some kind of indie experiment" that might find a place on a streaming platform.
However, not everyone was deterred. One founder of a specialty label described 'Megalopolis' as a "significant film" with "substance,” but ultimately stated it wouldn't be housed at his studio.
Another studio executive offered a less favorable evaluation, “It’s so not good, and it was so sad watching it. Anybody who puts P&A behind it, you’re going to lose money. This is not how Coppola should end his directing career.”