Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" Set Turns into Bizarre Episode of 'Director Gone Wild'
(Photo by Sag Harbor Police Department via Getty Images)
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Just when you thought behind-the-scenes drama couldn't get any juicier, video evidence of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola smooching young female extras on the set of his upcoming sci-fi epic "Megalopolis" has surfaced, making things awkward just two months before the film's release.
According to two sources who spoke to Variety, Coppola acted like the emperor of his own cinematic empire, with no one to answer to since he financed the $120 million budget himself. This lack of oversight apparently led to some... creative liberties. The Guardian first reported that the 85-year-old director attempted to kiss topless and scantily clad female extras, claiming he was "trying to get them in the mood." Cue collective cringe.
The scene in question, featuring actress Nathalie Emmanuel, was shot on Valentine's Day 2023, which might explain the over-the-top affection. According to the call sheet reviewed by Variety, the actresses had been "cleared for topless nudity" while others were "cleared for scantily clad." Sounds like a typical Tuesday for Coppola.
Witnesses say Coppola’s behavior was as unprofessional as a director jumping into the shot to hug and kiss his actors, which is exactly what happened. One source noted, “I’ve worked with really important directors and that behavior is uncommon — the most I’ve ever seen any director do is say something like, ‘high energy, guys.’” Coppola’s version of high energy seems to involve a lot more physical contact.
In a moment of self-awareness (or perhaps just more bizarre behavior), Coppola reportedly got on a microphone and announced to everyone, "Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure." Well, at least he was honest.
While Coppola's spokesperson had no comment on the videos or the accusations, his team scrambled to present a more flattering narrative. Executive producer Darren Demetre insisted the kisses were all about creating a Studio 54-esque club atmosphere, adding, "I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project.” Meanwhile, first assistant director Mariela Comitini described the set as a "vibrant, professional, and positive environment." Clearly, definitions of "professional" vary.
However, sources paint a different picture. Crew members reportedly exchanged uneasy glances but kept their lips zipped, likely because there was no HR department to report to in Coppola’s self-financed kingdom. One source lamented, “Who were they supposed to talk to? Complain to Coppola and report Coppola to himself?”
Intimacy coordinators Samantha McDonald and Ashley Anderson, who were not on set during the infamous nightclub scene, couldn't shed light on the events but noted that best practices would normally include more than one coordinator for such a large group of extras. Veteran intimacy coordinator Yarit Dor found the situation highly unorthodox, emphasizing that proper choreography and support are crucial during intimate scenes.
Despite the drama, Lionsgate has picked up domestic distribution rights for "Megalopolis," setting a September 27 release date. Coppola, who's handling the marketing costs himself, aims for a fourth-quarter awards-qualifying release. The film, starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jon Voight, is expected to be a contender in various technical categories.
Meanwhile, Coppola is set to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in December. Reflecting on his illustrious career, Coppola stated, “I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to collaborate with great artists and wonderful people throughout my career, and I have never stopped learning.” Let's hope the latest lesson isn't "How to Avoid a PR Disaster 101."