Director Francis Ford Coppola has filed a $15 million defamation lawsuit against Variety magazine for publishing an article that alleged inappropriate and unprofessional behavior by the director on the set of his new film, “Megalopolis.”
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Variety used anonymous sources who were “jealous” and made “willfully reckless falsehoods” about the “Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” director.
of July 26 article, The documentary, written by Brent Lang and Tatiana Siegel, who are also being sued, uses anonymous reports by “Megalopolis” staffers and publicly available video.
The videos appear to show the 85-year-old legendary director attempting to kiss a young female extra on set during a nightclub scene in the ambitious sci-fi blockbuster, set at an Atlanta concert hall in February 2023.
The article claims that Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver, was self-financed by Coppola, so “the traditional checks and balances were completely absent.”
Coppola was infuriated by Variety's allegations.
“It is devastating to see our collective efforts tarnished by false, reckless and irresponsible reporting,” he said. in a statement to TheWrap..
“No publication, especially an established industry outlet, should be allowed to use undercover video and anonymous sources to further its own financial interests.”
The director, whose 138-minute sci-fi film is due to be released in U.S. theaters in two weeks, claims Variety either knowingly published falsehoods or showed reckless disregard for the truth.
“While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, we support our reporters,” a spokesperson for Variety's parent company, PMC, told The Post.
In court documents, Coppola's lawyers said that before filing the lawsuit, “He presented Variety with evidence that the allegations above are false, and Mr. Coppola asked them to retract the allegations. Variety refused and became even more adamant. They repeated the same allegations and further emphasized their ill will toward Mr. Coppola. Mr. Coppola has filed this lawsuit to clear his name and force a public admission by Variety that the allegations are false.”
According to the lawsuit, the defamation allegations were “made knowingly and with conscious disregard for Mr. Coppola's rights and with the intent to annoy, injure or annoy Mr. Coppola, and constitute malice, fraud or oppression, and therefore Mr. Coppola is entitled to punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish and deter Defendants from future conduct as may be proven at trial.”
Coppola's lawyer told TheWrap that he denied the allegations made in the article at the time, and several people who worked with him have also issued statements disputing the allegations.
One of the extras featured in the video later took to social media to dispute how they were portrayed.
“None of the allegations about Francis Ford Coppola are true. It was an honor to work with such a legendary figure. This video was filmed on a closed set with no cell phones allowed for the actors' safety,” Reina Menz said in part. On Instagram Stories“I am sickened by these allegations and want everyone to know the truth as it is.”
Coppola is seeking at least $15 million in damages.
