Unraveling the Controversy Surrounding Adam Driver's Latest Sci-Fi Film

Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film, Megalopolis, is highly anticipated in the science fiction genre. However, recent reports of on-set issues have raised concerns about the movie's production. Key staff members quitting and on-set chaos have led to doubts about the quality of this passion project, which Coppola mostly financed himself. The pressure of having to replace those who quit is adding to the need for Megalopolis to succeed commercially.

Despite multiple attempts over the decades, Coppola has struggled to bring Megalopolis to life. The idea was first pitched in the 1980s after the success of Apocalypse Now, but the stress of making that legendary film led to the project being shelved. After several more failed attempts in the 1990s and 2000s, Coppola took matters into his own hands and self-funded the project in 2019. While reports of chaos on set are worrying, positive comments from star Adam Driver suggest that Megalopolis may be in better shape than believed.

Megalopolis' Filming Controversy Explained

Megalopolis has endured multiple on-set issues since its August 2022 production start date.

Adam Driver is wet and disheveled as he looks at something with wide eyes in the movie 65 - Megalopolis has endured multiple on-set issues since its August 2022 production start date. - Megalopolis' Filming Controversy Explained

Megalopolis was first thought up by Coppola during his work on Apocalypse Now, but he couldn't find the funding to convince studios to make the movie. To pay off his debts and focus on Megalopolis, Coppola worked on other films like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Jack, and The Rainmaker. In the mid-90s, he revisited the idea with Nicolas Cage and Robert De Niro in mind for lead roles. However, just as he was about to start production, the September 11, 2001, attacks put a stop to his plans as the pre-production was scheduled to take place in New York City.

The Godfather's Production Was Just As Chaotic As Megalopolis' Reported Production

In 2007, Coppola initially abandoned the project before revisiting it in 2019, determined to finance most of it himself. Despite unverified rumors of a challenging shoot, key members like production designer Beth Mickle and supervising Art Director David Scott departed midway through production in early 2023. This left the movie without an art department, prompting Coppola to personally invest more money to hire replacements, echoing a past Coppola set experience.

Production on The Godfather was nearly shut down multiple times by Italian Civil Rights groups.

Marlon Brando in The Godfather - Production on The Godfather was nearly shut down multiple times by Italian Civil Rights groups. - The Godfather's Production Was Just As Chaotic As Megalopolis' Reported Production

The Godfather is considered one of the greatest films in cinema history, thanks to its pacing, style, and strong acting performances. However, the film's creative history was complicated by various on-set problems. Initially, Paramount Pictures had doubts about Francis Ford Coppola directing the film, as he was not their first choice and had a track record of box-office failures. Despite considering more established directors like Elia Kazan and Arthur Penn, they all turned down the project, leading to Coppola being hired.

During the production of The Godfather, Coppola's unconventional artistic choices, such as dim lighting and casting Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, clashed with the studio executives' preferences. In addition, the film faced boycotts from the Italian-American Civil Rights League and New York mob boss Joseph Columbo Sr. They believed the film portrayed Italians negatively and brought unwanted attention to the real-life Italian mob, as reported by the New York Post.

Another Francis Ford Coppola Movie Faced The Same Problems

Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Sheen faced severe health complications while making Apocalypse Now.

A shirtless Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall) kneeling down between two soldiers on a battlefield in Apocalypse Now - Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Sheen faced severe health complications while making Apocalypse Now. - Another Francis Ford Coppola Movie Faced The Same Problems

Apocalypse Now is known for its raw and realistic depiction of the horrors of war, making it a standout war movie. The making of the film was just as dramatic as the story itself. From budget problems to clashes between director Francis Ford Coppola and the studio, the production faced numerous challenges. Adding to the chaos, Marlon Brando, a legendary actor, caused further trouble by refusing to memorize his lines and frequently arriving late on set.

Is Megalopolis' Reported Chaos Actually A Good Sign For Adam Driver's Movie?

The stress of shooting on location in the Philippines, the expensive and complex sets being destroyed by the severe weather, and multiple personnel being fired almost daily also caused Sheen to suffer a breakdown before nearly dying from a heart attack. Despite the incessant challenges and issues that Coppola and the cast & crew faced, they persevered through the struggles and created one of the most impactful films ever made. Despite the lack of clarity regarding Megalopolis' production, the suggestion that there were issues suggests something potentially good for the upcoming movie.

Whether true or not, Coppola has already demonstrated twice that he can produce great work under pressure.

Francis Ford Coppola looking into a camera - Whether true or not, Coppola has already demonstrated twice that he can produce great work under pressure. - Is Megalopolis' Reported Chaos Actually A Good Sign For Adam Driver's Movie?

The Godfather saw Coppola's authority and judgment as an artist questioned on a near-constant basis, and Apocalypse Now nearly claimed the sanity of the filmmaker and, more importantly, the life of Sheen. However, some argue that the added pressure helped Coppola reach the necessary mental and emotional space to create the iconic movies. While not the healthiest approach, troubled productions have not been beyond Coppola's capabilities.

While not confirmed by those close to the movie, reports of Megalopolis' troubled production echo back to Coppola's acclaimed work in the 1970s. Driver's positive comments about Megalopolis also suggest that the movie could be another success for the auteur. Although Megalopolis does not yet have a release date, and concerns about the troubled production are valid, Coppola's track record and the challenges he has overcome imply that his latest project could benefit from the years of complications it has faced.

Sources: New York Post

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a detailed overview of the production challenges facing Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film, "Megalopolis." The numerous on-set issues, including key staff quitting and reported chaos, raise concerns about the quality and commercial viability of this passion project. However, the article also highlights Coppola's previous successes in creating acclaimed works under pressure, such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now."

Despite the valid worries surrounding the troubled production of "Megalopolis," the article suggests that these difficulties may not necessarily doom the film. Coppola's track record and the positive comments from star Adam Driver offer some hope that the movie could defy expectations and emerge as another cinematic triumph. Only time will tell if Coppola's determination and resilience will prevail over the adversity he has faced, but the article leaves readers with a sense of intrigue and anticipation for the eventual release of "Megalopolis."