Things are only getting worse for the ‘worst movie of 2024’-Lillie Rohan-Entertainment – Metro

Adam Driver is one of the leads in the film (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

After months of searching for a studio backer, Lionsgate and Francis Ford Coppola announced on June 17 that they would acquire the director’s $120 million (£94.8m) passion project Megalopolis.

Some might assume the announcement indicates that things are looking up for the ‘worst film of 2024’.

However, it seems a deflating turn of events has occurred, as Coppola, 85, is set to pay for the film’s marketing campaign out of his own pocket.

A new report claims that while the major studio – worth $1.9 billion (£1.5b) – intends to show the film on more than 1,500 cinema screens, including some Imax screens, it is reportedly not contributing to the marketing budget. 

Instead, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Coppola will be responsible for covering the estimated $15m (£11.8m) to $20m (£15.8m) campaign, meaning his passion project and first movie in 13 years will cost him more than $135m (£106m).

There are likely multiple reasons why Lionsgate’s deal with The Godfather director does not cover the marketing of the film. One could be that despite the studio distributing the science fiction, the Academy Award-winning director will retain ownership of his work. 

The film has been slammed as the ‘worst’ of 2024 (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

Shia stars in the film (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

Another likely reason is the difficulties the studio, and now Coppola may face in marketing such a complex film to general moviegoers. 

The film, which stars the likes of Adam Driver, 40, Aubrey Plaza, 39, and Shia LeBeouf, 38, is described as an ‘epic science fiction drama’ set in an imagined modern America and follows two men locked in conflict about the future of New York City. 

Soon after Coppola screened Megalopolis to potential buyers, including Universal, Netflix, and Sony, in late March, concerns were raised about the film’s financial potential.  

One viewer reportedly commented on ‘how unflinching in how bats**t it is’, while another said, ‘It’s so not good, and it was so sad watching it. Anybody who puts P&A behind it you’re going to lose money. This is not how Coppola should end his directing career.’ 

Francis will pay for the entire market campaign of his film (Picture: JB Lacroix/FilmMagic)

Despite the mixed reviews, the film has a star-studded cast (Picture: EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER)

Following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival last month, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation but continued to be called ‘the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.’ 

While it remains unclear how Coppola will market the film, he appears pleased with his partnership with Lionsgate and announced in a statement, ‘One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritised (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 (Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair) 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.’

Elsewhere, THR has stated that money may be the least of the director’s concerns as he has continued to say throughout the film’s press tour that he hopes the movie and its message of an obsessive man dedicated to creating a better world will live on after him. 

Metro.co.uk has contacted Francis Ford Coppola’s representatives for comment.

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