The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola has been said to have “old-fashioned views” on filmmaking and women.
His latest, and likely final, film, “Megalopolis,” premiered in Cannes last month before rumors began to surface that there were problems on set.
The Guardian ran a story in May alleging a series of behind-the-scenes problems, including his behaviour towards several female extras.
According to multiple sources, Coppola is “old-fashioned” and would sometimes let women sit on his lap.
The Guardian’s report also included allegations that director Francis Ford Coppola had an “old-fashioned” approach to women on the set of “Megalopolis.” (Stephen Cardinale/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
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They also allege that during the filming of a nightclub party scene, the 85-year-old man attempted to kiss several female extras, some of whom were topless and some dressed in revealing costumes, in an attempt to “get them in the mood,” they claim.
In a statement to The Guardian, Megalopolis co-executive producer Darren Demetre said, “I have known and worked with Francis and his family for over 35 years. On his new epic film Megalopolis, I served as one of the first assistant directors, and as executive producer, helped oversee and advise on production and ran the second unit. Francis has successfully produced and directed a major independent film, making all the difficult decisions to deliver it on time and on budget while staying true to his creative vision.”
“During the two days we shot the Studio 54-style celebratory club scene, Francis walked around the set giving cast and background actors affectionate hugs and kisses on the cheek, adding to the atmosphere of the scene. This was his way of creating the club atmosphere that was so important to the film. We never heard any complaints of harassment or inappropriate behavior during the course of the project.”
A representative for Coppola did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital about the report.
In a statement to The Guardian, Darren Demetre, co-executive producer of Megalopolis, said Coppola was “roaming the set giving loving hugs and kisses on the cheek to actors and background cast members, helping to set the tone for the scenes.” (Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images)
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Coppola was recently profiled in the New York Times, where he was asked about the Guardian’s report.
He begins by talking about his mother, Italy, describing her as resembling the glamorous Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr, before saying, “But my mother said that to hit on a woman would be to disrespect her. But I never disrespected the girls I had a crush on.”
Coppola said there was a photo of one of the “girls” kissing him on the cheek, taken by her father, and that he “met her when I was 9 years old.” It’s unclear from the article whether he was referring to a girl he had a childhood crush on or the woman he allegedly kissed on set.
“I don’t like skinship,” Coppola told the outlet. “I’m very shy.”
When asked about the Guardian report, Coppola told The New York Times: “I don’t like to get emotional. I’m very shy.” (Loïc Venance/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Megalopolis” is Coppola’s first film in 13 years and his 23rd overall, a blockbuster he has been working on for decades, investing $120 million of his own money in.
Set in a future New York City, the film follows an architect, played by Adam Driver, who has an ambitious vision for a more harmonious metropolis and the ability to start and stop time.
The film also stars Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza and Nathalie Emmanuel.
According to the Associated Press, reviews at Cannes ranged from “monstrously stupid” to “the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Francis Ford Coppola and Adam Driver (Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
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The Guardian’s report also details the years-long process of bringing the film to life, including the clash between his most classic approach of “finding the magic in the moment” and the demands of modern digital and CGI filmmaking.
“I think Coppola still lives in a world where, as the director, he’s the only one who knows what’s going on and everyone else is just following his instructions,” a staff member who asked not to be named told the outlet.
Other sources on the crew said Coppola’s vision was constantly changing, making the visual effects difficult to prepare for and work with.
Another crew member spoke of time wasted on set, with sources saying he was intent on using live-action effects over digital ones, and would “literally spend half a day doing something that should have taken 10 minutes.”
Other reports from The Guardian said there was difficulty working between Coppola and some of the technical team. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
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In January 2023, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the entire visual effects team was fired or resigned in December 2022, followed by other key positions such as production designer and supervising art director.
“Megalopolis” wrapped filming last March and is dedicated to Coppola’s late wife, Eleanor Coppola.
The film doesn’t have a U.S. release date yet as it’s being pursued for domestic distribution, but it has already acquired distribution rights in some European territories.
