It’s Official – Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Opening in September in the US
by Alex Billington
June 17, 2024
Source: Variety
“Don’t let the now… destroy the forever.” It’s official! It’s coming to theaters soon! Lionsgate Studios has announced they will release Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis in the US this fall. The highly anticipated new film from the iconic filmmaker originally premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (read our review) and it also just played at the Sydney Film Festival in Australia. It’s now set to open in theaters starting on September 27th, 2024 – including on IMAX screens nationwide. Mark it down in your calendar now! Save the date! Get ready for a totally ridiculous, bonkers, mesmerizing experience unlike any other (here’s a teaser trailer). The film received wildly mixed reviews out of Cannes, with some saying it’s brilliant, others saying it’s complete trash – though nearly everyone agrees that it’s a a giant mess running on way too long. Nonetheless it’s audacious, bold, and captivating at least. Lionsgate doesn’t often release prestige cinema, but it’s exciting to see them support a big, ambitious movie that does lean more towards the genre side. Only time will tell what audiences think of it! And only three months left to go until it will be playing in theaters.
Francis Ford Coppola states: “One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritized (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 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.” What an intriguing comparison to make – maybe he thinks it’ll take time to be a hit. Adam Fogelson, chair of chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, also adds: “Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him, and to bring this incredible, audacious, & utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences. At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and Megalopolis proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.” Well said.
There is an audience-participation segment of Megalopolis where a person appears from the audience with a microphone and talks briefly with Adam Driver on screen during a press conference scene. So far this has happened with people at both the Cannes and Sydney Film Festival screenings, and it’s expected this will continue for the release. Will they hire hundreds of actors to be stationed at cinemas around the US to play this moment during every single showtime? Or will he edit this into the movie itself? Everything else takes place on screen – and it’s worth seeing this movie at least once to take in all that Coppola has trying to say. Megalopolis has struggled to secure a distributor after months since first being shown at a private event to buyers in Los Angeles. The mixed reaction at Cannes likely didn’t help either, but I am relived to see that one studio is putting their weight behind it and giving it a chance. It could be a flop? It could also be a huge hit? We’ll find out later this year once it hits theaters in September. Megalopolis is now listed on our 2024 Release Schedule. Stay tuned for more updates and more trailers leading up to the release in a few months. The film has already arranged international distribution in many more countries – check your local listings.
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