Megalopolisdirector Francis Ford Coppola is suing Variety for $15 million over the outlet’s coverage of allegations against the director for on-set misconduct. Coppola’s upcomingMegalopolismovie stars Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, an architect in a futuristic New York City-like location called New Rome, who intends to rebuild the city after an accident destroys it. Carrying mixed reviews despite being an idea the director’s had since 1977, the movie was also privy to allegations against Coppola for misconduct on set with young actresses.
Now,Associated Pressreports thatCoppola is seeking $15 million in emotional and reputational damages from Varietyfor a story published on July 26, alleging the director tried kissing and touching young female extras without their consent on the set ofMegalopolis. The suit names reporters Bret Lang and Tatiana Siegel as defendants, claiming the contributors were accusing the director of misconduct that never happened. Part of the lawsuit reads:
[W]riters and editors, hiding behind supposedly anonymous sources, accused Coppola of manifest incompetence as a motion picture director, of unprofessional behavior on the set of his most recent production, Megalopolis, of setting up some type of scheme so that anyone on the set who had a complaint of harassment or otherwise had nowhere to lodge a complaint, and of hugging topless actresses on the set. Each of these accusations was false.
Coppola also commented Thursday about the allegations against him,calling it “false, reckless and irresponsible reporting.“Said reporting came from anonymous sources, but also included two videos allegedly backing the claims. One shows Coppola in a white suit leaning into a group of women to hug, whisper with, or kiss them on the cheek, while another sees a woman draw back from him after he leaned in. A statement was also issued toPeopleby the director’s representatives, denying Variety’s allegations:
Nothing in my 60+ years career can equal the painstakingly difficult, yet artistically triumphant journey of bringingMegalopolisto the screen. It was a collaboration of hundreds of artists, from extras to box office stars, to whom I consistently displayed the utmost respect and my deepest gratitude.
To see our collective efforts tainted by false, reckless and irresponsible reporting is devastating. No publication, especially a legacy industry outlet, should be enabled to use surreptitious video and unnamed sources in pursuit of their own financial gain. While I have no intention of litigating this in the media, I will vigorously defend my reputation and have trust in the courts to hold them accountable.
Variety spokesperson Jeffrey Schneider told AP that,although the legal situation couldn’t be commented on, “we stand by our reporters.“The lawsuit also briefly mentions extra actor Lauren Pagone, who came forward publicly and spoke with Variety about Coppola hugging, kissing, and touching her on set without her consent. This was after another extra, Rayna Menz, publicly spoke to Deadline, claiming the director didn’t make anyone uncomfortable on-set. While Coppola was asked by AP for a direct comment on the lawsuit itself, his representatives denied the request.
What Coppola’s Lawsuit Means For Variety & Megalopolis
The Legal Battle Could Impact Variety’s Report
Coppola’s lawsuit against Variety is just one large part of the large controversy surrounding his upcoming film, which holds a 54% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 71 reviews. In August, there was aMegalopolisfake review quote controversy, withits second trailer using quotes critical of Coppola’s previous movies, only for the quotes to be revealed as falsified.This was seemingly in response to many negative reviews coming from its premiere at 2024’s Cannes Film Festival, drawing more controversy to the movie as a whole.
Megalopolis Cast & Character Guide: Who Is In Francis Ford Coppola’s Sci-Fi Epic
Megalopolis may be receiving divisive responses, but its all-star ensemble cast may make it worthwhile no matter what. Here’s who’s in it.
While mixedreviews forMegalopolisand false quotes are about the movie itself, Coppola’s misconduct lawsuit could have implications for Variety’s story, which remains public as of writing. With the lawsuit having just moved forward,it’s impossible to tell what this means for the publication and their coverage of the allegationsagainst the director. Given the inclusion of video descriptions of what could be considered misconduct, it seems like this legal battle will be impactful on the final days of Coppola’s film career.
Our Take On Coppola’s Lawsuit Against Variety
Megalopolis' Controversy Coming To A Head
Coppola’s lawsuit is the biggest event to happen in the many controversies surroundingMegalopolisso far,seemingly bringing the negativity around the movie to a head.While it’s impossible to predict what this means for its success at the box office, the film’s negative reception so far coupled with continuous controversies make it seem like a sad end to the director’s decorated career. However, with the seriousness of his misconduct allegations still lingering, Variety’s legal battle will likely bring stronger evidence to light regarding what transpired on-set.
Coppola financed much ofMegalopolishimself, including selling off parts of his wine business to do so.
Megalopolis
Cast
Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a visionary 2024 film exploring the ambitious dream of reconstructing New York City into a utopia, following a devastating disaster. The narrative delves into the clash between the architect’s utopian vision and the political and personal turmoil that ensues. With a star-studded cast, the film examines themes of ambition, power, and the human spirit’s resilience against the backdrop of a futuristic metropolis.
