WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Megalopolis.
Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisends with a revised version of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States. After brewing a storm of controversy afterLionsgate released a trailer with fabricated reviewsby real-life critics and a decade-spanning development process,Megalopoliswas finally released in theaters on August 16, 2025. Legendary directorFrancis Ford Coppola spent $120 millionof his own fortune to produce the film, even selling part of his profitable wine empire to bring his long-awaited vision to life. Adam Driver leads thecast ofMegalopolisas Cesar Catilina alongside Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, and Shia LaBeouf.
Driver’s Cesar protagonist is the inventor/discoverer of a miraculous and groundbreakingsubstance known as Megalon, which allows him to perform and create all types of remarkable societal functions and products. Cesar is also an architect and industrial developer, dedicating his life to using the magical powers of Megalon to create a better New Rome, a city largely inspired by New York City, and a utopia he calls Megalopolis. ThroughoutMegalopolis, Cesar is seen demolishing areas of New Rome to build his new city on top of it. Although his process requires the destruction and displacement of citizens,Cesar’s vision is to create a better world for the sake of human posterity.
Megalopolisis now playing in theaters.
What The New Pledge Of Allegiance In Megalopolis Says
“I pledge of allegiance to our human family, and to all the species that we protect. One Earth, indivisible, with long life, education and justice for all.”
The very last frame ofMegalopolisis a title card that reads, “I pledge of allegiance to our human family, and to all the species that we protect. One Earth, indivisible, with long life, education and justice for all.” The quote is dated MMXXIV, which is Roman numerals for 2024. This hints that the updatedPledge of Allegiance was created by Cesar Catilina as part of the grand opening of his utopia, Megalopolis. Like many other aspects of the film, the new Pledge of Allegiance appears to be infused with Coppola’s own sentiments towards society, civilization, leadership, and the future of all citizens on Earth.
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There are several blatant changes made to the original Pledge of Allegiance of the United States inMegalopolis. Instead of pledging allegiance to the flag, the citizens of Megalopolis pledge allegiance to humanity and all life on Earth, which removes the element of nationalism from the patriotic verse. It also completelyremoves any adherence to a governing body such as a democratic republic. As opposed to “one nation under God”,Megaloplis’version becomes “one Earth”, which again makes a point against nationalism and an effort towards global unity. “Liberty” becomes “long life” and “education”, while “justice for all” remains constant.
The Real Meaning Of Megalopolis' Pledge Of Allegiance
All citizens would be given natural rights to long life, education, and justice
Cesar’s global focus positions itself far from the secularity of government and imperialism.
As Cesar opens hisMegalopolisat the end of Coppola’s film, he is opening the door to a new world built entirely on Megalon. Although it is depicted as a new village of New Rome, it very evidently establishes itself as an evolved world that is separate from the city as it currently stands. Cesar’s vision is to expand Megalopolis over all of New Rome and eventuallyspread this new infrastructure and all of its societal and cultural effects around the world. Cesar’s global focus positions itself far from the secularity of government and imperialism. He isn’t only speaking to citizens of New Rome but to everyone in the world.
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The new Pledge of Allegiance of Megalopolis is not devoted to a nation’s flag but instead to a human family. Cesar built Megalopolis with the intention of allowing all citizens through its doors, making a point not to discriminate based on wealth, race, or any other type of stratification. Although Coppola doesn’t go too deep into the real-world explanation of how people will survive in Cesar’s utopia, avoiding baseline logistics such as food, shelter, and occupations, thecore concept of Megalopolis revolves around the unification of people and the destruction of power systems. The Pledge of Allegiance of Megalopolis states that all citizens would be given natural rights to long life, education, and justice.
What Megalopolis' Pledge Of Allegiance Reveals About Cesar’s Utopia
Megalopolis shifts the focus of power from the few to the many
The most interesting takeaway from the Pledge of Allegiance of Megalopolis is that it doesn’t have its own flag or banners to represent itself. In fact, it makes a point not to describe itself as a nation or even establish a clear leader or system of rule, which certainly sounds more idealistic than it would actually be. SinceCesar and his loved ones are the only people who can harness the power of Megalon, a material that defies the laws of physics and can seemingly achieve anything the mind can conceive of, Megalopolis will continue to be the creation of Cesar’s vision for the future. Cesar is highly motivated to shift the focus and power from nations to human beings, a well-intentioned yet lofty ambition inMegalopolis.
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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.
