Iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has shot down a recent report dubbing the Atlanta set of his currently in production “Megalopolis” film as ‘absolute chaos’.
The film has seen a turnover in its visual effects and art departments, which led to the trade report discussing a “crew exodus” and comparing the production to something akin to a runaway train.
Of course, Coppola has famously handled some of the most notoriously tough film productions in history and managed to pull the film’s together just fine, so it seemed like business as usual.
The thing is, according to both Coppola and star Adam Driver, there is no chaos. Speaking with Deadline, Coppola acknowledged that there has been some turnover which has all been to do with economics, and none of it has caused any significant disruption:
“I’ve never worked on a film where I was so happy with the cast. I am so happy with the look and that we are so on schedule. These reports never say who these sources are. To them, I say, ha, ha, just wait and see.
Because this is a beautiful film and primarily so because the cast is so great. I’ve never enjoyed working with a cast who are so hardworking and so willing to go search for the unconventional, to come upon hidden solutions.
It is a thrill to work with these actors, and the photography is everything I could hope for. The dailies are great. So if we’re on schedule, and I love the actors, and the look is great, I don’t know what anyone’s talking about here.”
Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman and Dustin Hoffman star and Driver also spoke about the rumors:
“I’d like to briefly respond to The Hollywood Reporter article published Monday, January 9th. All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic, and this one is far from it.
The environment that’s being created by Francis is one of focus and inspiration. As of now, we’re on schedule, making our days, and honestly, it’s been one of the best shooting experiences I’ve had.”
Driver acknowledges that the report’s original claims of the art department resigning and the VFX department being let go are true, but adds it’s part of the process and “this production is not out of pocket in comparison to other productions”. He adds that :
“No one signed up for this movie expecting the process to be conventional. We were expecting the opposite in the pursuit of making something unique. The only madness I’ve observed is that more productions aren’t allowed to be as creatively wild and experimentally focused, precisely because someone else is paying for it. It’s an effort and risk by Francis that I feel should be applauded, not publicly mischaracterized as troubled.”
Coppola is personally bankrolling the majority of the film’s large budget himself. He reiterates the film is very much on schedule, and he aims to finish the film in Spring this year before seeking distribution theatrically with hopes of a simultaneous global release that will also include IMAX screens.
