The trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film, Megalopolis, has been pulled by Lionsgate due to fabricated quotes from real film critics.
This decision came after the studio apologized for the oversight, acknowledging it as an “inexcusable error in our vetting process.”
The self-funded project by Mr. Coppola received a mixed reception at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The now-removed trailer seemed to defend the filmmaker against past criticism by showcasing negative reviews of his previous works with the intention of highlighting misunderstood genius.
However, it was discovered that these negative reviews were entirely made up. Quotes attributed to renowned critics like Pauline Kael, Rex Reed, and Roger Ebert were found to be false, casting doubt on the credibility of the trailer.
Despite the controversy surrounding the trailer, Megalopolis boasts a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, and Nathalie Emmanuel. The film reportedly cost Mr. Coppola a staggering $120 million.
Critics have described Megalopolis as a “pretentious, portentous curio” with a release date set for 27 September in the US. However, the production faced another scandal earlier in the year when footage surfaced of Mr. Coppola allegedly behaving inappropriately towards female extras on set.
Mr. Coppola denied these allegations, stating that he is “not touchy-feely” and claiming to be too shy for such behavior. Despite the controversies surrounding the film, anticipation remains high for Megalopolis’ release in theaters.
