Francis Ford Coppola believes his recent sci-fi flop will stand the test of time. Coppola is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. He rose to prominence in the 1970s with The Godfather and its sequel, The Godfather Part II, with both films considered masterpieces that each won Best Picture at the Academy Awards just one year apart. Furthermore, Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, a war epic about the Vietnam War, earned critical acclaim for its daring narrative and technical achievements, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes in addition to multiple Academy Awards.

In addition to these iconic films, Coppola’s career is marked by his willingness to take risks. Films like One From the Heart, a visually experimental musical, was a commercial failure but still ed for its unique storytelling. Similarly, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, a biographical drama about the rise and fall of an American car innovator, faced mixed reception but garnered praise for its production design and powerful performances.

Coppola Has A Bold Vision For Megalopolis

Coppola Believes Megalopolis Will Be Received Better In The Future

Megalopolis is Coppola’s decades-long ion project, a film that explores themes of rebuilding society and exploring idealistic notions about urban life. The story follows a vision of a future society after a catastrophic event and is grounded in Coppola's interest in utopianism. He first began conceptualizing the film in the 1980s, and it has undergone numerous drafts and iterations. Megalopolis features a star-studded cast and required a large-scale production, but its eventual creation was delayed many times and faced a troubled production.

Megalopolis, which reportedly had a budget in the $120 million range, faced multiple challenges, including casting changes, shooting delays, and a shift in location.

Ultimately, the film's reception was mixed, with Megalopolis currently holding a 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, Coppola expressed confidence in the project's future. When speaking with The Washington Post, the director envisions people watching Megalopolis on New Year's Eve and pondering, "Is the society we’re living in the only one available to us?" He also pointed out that even his most beloved movies were poorly received at first, saying, "I was almost fired on all of them." He added:

The lesson is that the same things that they fire you for are the same things that later they give you lifetime achievement awards for when you’re old.

Our Take On Coppola's Risk-Taking Legacy

Megalopolis' Future Isn't Yet Clear, But It Could Be Positive

Coppola’s perseverance accentuates the value of creative integrity in a results-driven industry. His films often challenge traditional storytelling and commercial formulas, allowing for deeper cultural conversations long after their release. While Megalopolis has yet to achieve that status, its philosophical depth could resonate with audiences over time, much like his earlier works.

As Coppola himself notes, the ideas that spark initial criticism are often those that later earn lifetime accolades. Megalopolis is a gamble that reflects his enduring dedication to crafting thought-provoking cinema. Whether it will be ed as a misunderstood masterpiece or a rare misstep remains a question only time can answer. However, the director's track record does make a strong case for the argument that Megalopolis has a strong future ahead, even if its initial reception stumbled significantly.

Source: The Washington Post