Although the details surrounding it are limited, the early reactions to Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming Megalopolis are good and bad for exactly the same reasons. Known primarily for making slow-burn dramas rooted in both the crime and war drama genres, Megalopolis will be Coppola’s first foray into science fiction, which is just as exciting as it is worrying. Additionally, star Adam Driver’s recent sci-fi movies have underperformed, making it an even greater risk for all involved. However, the strong early responses to the movie also bode well for Megalopolis‘ future.
While the best Francis Ford Coppola movies are rooted in realism and authentic portrayals of historical events, Megalopolis will see Driver as an architect attempting to rebuild New York City after a tragic event in a dystopian future destroys most of it. Although its premise is intersting, neither Coppola nor Driver have had an impressive string of releases under their belts in recent memory, which speaks volumes to the movie’s margin for failure. However, the genre and talent associated with the project could make it his biggest film yet, and considering the financial risk involved, could make Megalopolis worth seeing.
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Megalopolis’ Divisive Early Reactions Make Coppola’s Sci-Fi Movie More Intriguing
The divisive reactions signify it as a bold artistic expression or as an incomprehensible mess.
Early reactions have deemed Megalopolis a divisive movie to say the least, but the strong positive and negative reactions regarding Megalopolis are arguably what make the movie so intriguing. On one hand, the negative reactions to Megalopolis and genuine concern regarding it finding distribution could be chalked up to the movie’s ambition getting the better of viewers. On the other hand, Megalopolis‘ strong positive reactions suggest that Coppola’s commitment to his vision and willingness to self-finance most of its $120 million budget are signs of artistic expression rarely seen these days.
Despite the divisive nature of its early screenings, Megalopolis has a lot of great things going for it. With Coppola financing the majority of Megalopolis‘s budget, it demonstrates his confidence in his vision and in the upcoming sci-fi movie’s quality. Coppola’s willingness to tackle the science fiction genre over making another gangster or war drama is also inspiring, as it suggests he’s more interested in exploring new themes and ideas. Furthermore, the ensemble cast consisting of Driver, Laurence Fishburne, and Aubrey Plaza, among others, highlight the faith his talent has in its success despite its biggest risks.
Megalopolis’ Reactions Confirm The Biggest Problem Facing Coppola’s Movie
Megalopolis could struggle to find distribution, which would solidify it as a failure.
Perhaps the biggest risk involved with Megalopolis is finding a major distributor after the divisive reactions from the early screenings. While Coppola is an Academy Award-winning director, he hasn’t worked in years, and his recent work has largely gone unnoticed. While it could be tougher to get a major distribution deal, Coppola could possibly work with a smaller company. However, the issue with that would boil down to it not receiving as wide of a release, which could effectively kill Megalopolis‘s box-office future, and stain the legendary filmmaker’s legacy.
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