Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Lands at Lionsgate for Fall Release

Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘Megalopolis.’

American Zoetrope/Mihai Malaimare

After much speculation over its fate, Megalopolis is officially headed to North American movie theaters.

Lionsgate has picked up the Francis Ford Coppola feature and is planning a Sept. 27 release for the much talked-about project. As with films such as Apocalypse Now, Coppola will retain ownership, with Lionsgate distributing.

It is unknown if Lionsgate will be paying for the marketing of the film, which sports a 52 percent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes after bowing at Cannes in May following a dramatic backstory surrounding its making.

After decades in development, Coppola put part of his personal fortune into the $120 million project, which stars Adam Driver as a man obsessed with creating utopian city.

The Hollywood Reporter chief film critic David Rooney wrote in his review of the film, “The character in Megalopolis played by Adam Driver with idealistic passion, Cesar Catilina, is a visionary genius intent on saving New York City by building a utopian future, dislodging the elite ruling class in the process. In many ways, Cesar’s mission, both noble and egomaniacal, seems a direct reflection of the dogged determination of Francis Ford Coppola to get this movie made at any cost.”

At Cannes, an actor appeared onstage in the middle of the film to read dialogue to Driver’s character, and the hope is that this could be repeated in other screenings across the country.

Imax previously had committed to carrying the project, even before it had a North American distributor.

“Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film,” said Lionsgate film boss Adam Fogelson. “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.”

Added the filmmaker: “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.”

In announcing the deal, Lionsgate touted its relationship with Coppola’s American Zeotrope banner. The studio previously distributed some of its projects on home entertainment, including Apocolypse Now Final Cut, The Conversation, The Cotton Club Encore, Tucker: The Man and His Dream and One From the Heart: Reprise.

The acquisition comes more than two months after a March 28 screening for top Hollywood executives that was a bid to drum up a possible distribution deal for the feature, though sources in attendance told The Hollywood Reporter at the time it would be challenging to position the film, which though it boasts a big budget, has an art house film vibe and is not a crowd-pleasing blockbuster.

Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza and Giancarlo Esposito are among the cast of the film. At Cannes, it debuted to a 10-minute standing ovation, and currently sports a 51 percent critics rating at Rotten Tomatoes. After the Cannes ovation, Coppola said he hoped the film would inspire hope in the world.

The next morning, he addressed questions of putting his own money into the feature.

“My children, without exception, have wonderful careers without a fortune. We are fine. It doesn’t matter,” said the filmmaker. “The money doesn’t matter. What is important are the friends. A friend will never let you down. The money may evaporate.”

IndieWire broke the news of the Lionsgate deal.