Five-time Academy Award winner Francis Ford Coppola Variety He accused the far-left media of deliberately smearing him with stories alleging #MeToo misconduct.
People named in the lawsuit include: Variety Editors-in-chief Tatiana Siegel and Brent Lang, who wrote the July 26, 2024 article in question.
In the lawsuit, the 85-year-old legend says Variety The editors published the story knowing it was “false” and that it would “harm Mr. Coppola's reputation and cause him severe emotional distress.” The lawsuit adds that “damage has been caused,” and he is now demand They want at least $15 million, plus punitive damages, reimbursement of legal costs, and any other amount the court deems appropriate, and they also want a jury trial.
In a statement peopleCoppola said:
Nothing in my 60+ year career can compare to this painstakingly difficult, yet artistically triumphant, journey. Megalopolis What was shown on screen was a collaboration between hundreds of artists, from extras to box-office stars, and I have always expressed the utmost respect and deepest gratitude to them.
It is distressing to see our shared efforts tarnished by false, reckless and irresponsible reporting. No publication, especially an established industry outlet, should use undercover video and anonymous sources to further their own financial interests. I will not litigate this matter with the media, but I will staunchly defend my reputation and trust that the courts will hold them accountable.
Under the headline “Video of Francis Ford Coppola kissing extra in 'Megalopolis' leaks, crew details unprofessional behavior on set (Exclusive),” Variety They claimed to have found a video that proved the “legendary director.” [tried] “Kissing a young female extra on the set of his ambitious sci-fi blockbuster.”
As I wrote at the time, there was nothing in the dark, blurry video to warrant a headline. The story was so absurd that I didn't even report it. But a few days later, the alleged “victim” in the video, Raina Menz, spoke out in Coppola's defense…
“He never did anything to make me or anyone on set feel uncomfortable, which surprised me, because all he ever did was talk about how amazing his wife was.”
She added that Coppola's “wife was on set with us almost every day. When I look at that video and the way they were trying to get the message across, it's sickening. It's really sickening.”
Menz later revealed, “I was the one who asked Coppola to dance. I asked him to dance in front of everyone, so it's really funny that this story came up.”
“He was just such a professional and a gentleman and like a cute Italian grandpa running around on set,” she continued. “It was so much fun. He's such a sweet and generous guy.”
The lawsuit further alleges that before the article was published, Coppola's legal team Variety The evidence proved the allegations to be false. Variety I published it anyway.
In the lawsuit, this end by Variety To:
…willfully and with conscious disregard for Mr. Coppola's rights and with the intent to annoy, injure or annoy him constitutes malice, fraud or oppression, and therefore Mr. Coppola is entitled to punitive damages in an amount that will punish the defendants, make an example of them, and deter future such conduct as may be proven at trial.
I hope Coppola sues them and forgets. This man has been a public figure for over 50 years and I have never heard of a single allegation against him that would qualify as a #MeToo accusation.
Hollywood hates him because he has resisted the fascist system for decades, because he has stayed out of the game and the industry has always been at the mercy of the studios. Variety You'll get access, interviews, scoops and studio advertising.
Overall it's obscene.
Fill it in, Francis.
John Nolte's first and last novel Borrowed time, Winning 5-Star Rave Reviews Submissions from our everyday readers. You can read excerpts here here And a detailed review here. Also available in Hardcover and Kindle and Audiobooks.
