Adam Driver Praises Francis Ford Coppola’s New Sci-Fi Movie Megalopolis

Adam Driver has sparked curiosity about Francis Ford Coppola’s new and original sci-fi epic, Megalopolis. As per Driver, it’s beyond definition.

Coppola, renowned for directing masterpieces like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, is embarking on a bold venture he first thought of over four decades ago. The film’s narrative centers on an architect’s quest to reconstruct New York City following a catastrophic event.

Adam Driver is at the forefront of a remarkable ensemble cast, which includes Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, and Giancarlo Esposito.

In a conversation with The Face, Driver hinted that the true essence of Megalopolis is elusive and will only become clear when we watch the film. When asked to elaborate on his character, the architect Caesar, Driver drew parallels between Caesar and Coppola. Read his statement below:

It’s kind of undefinable, which feels very general until you watch the movie. Then my answer will be perfect. There’s not a lot of precedent for it and it’s wild on a big scale, which is what’s really unique about it.

He’s a visionary. He’s very much Francis [Ford Coppola], in a way, where he’s investigated every way of how people can do something and is trying not to get stuck on the right answer. That’s an idea that’s moving to me – and one that reflects Francis.

Adam Driver’s characterization of Megalopolis as “undefinable” is fitting, given the details about the film’s plot. Francis Ford Coppola has previously mentioned that the film draws inspiration from Roman epics, yet it unfolds within a futuristic New York City, reimagined as New Rome. The movie is also said to intertwine a romantic narrative with a deep dive into human nature.

Megalopolis is confirmed to track the journey of Driver’s character as he envisions and constructs a utopian New York in the aftermath of a disaster. The unique and enigmatic nature of the film led to a lack of funding from traditional studios, prompting Coppola to invest $120 million of his own funds into the project.

Despite facing a challenging production phase, which is not uncommon for Coppola’s projects, the film’s creation continues, reminiscent of the tumultuous yet successful productions of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now.

Francis Ford Coppola’s career is marked by his tendency to aim high, sometimes excessively so. His self-funded project, One from the Heart in 1982, didn’t resonate with audiences or critics, leading to financial woes for his Zoetrope Studios.

Given this history, Megalopolis could either be a work of genius or fall flat, with seemingly no middle ground in terms of its potential success.

About Megalopolis

Megalopolis is an upcoming American epic science fiction drama film written, directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

The film features an ensemble cast, including Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, D. B. Sweeney, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Filming began in November 2022 and concluded in March 2023. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States in late 2024.