Mike Figgis' documentary about the creation of Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis is set to be released this fall.

      It has been a year since Francis Ford Coppola showcased his ambitious passion project, Megalopolis, at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by a theatrical release in the fall where much of the media seemed more focused on its box office returns than its artistic value (it earned about 12% of its $120 million budget). The director has no intention of recuperating that revenue through home-video or streaming releases, opting instead to maintain a focus on theatrical showings for the foreseeable future. However, audiences will soon get an in-depth exploration of the film's creation.

      Utopia has announced it has secured North American rights to MEGADOC, a comprehensive documentary by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas) that delves into the production of Megalopolis. The documentary, co-produced by Tara Li-An and James Mockoski, is scheduled for a theatrical release this fall, suggesting that we may see Francis Ford Coppola participating in the fall festival circuit once again.

      The synopsis reads: “The project originated from a serendipitous meeting initiated by an email exchange between two longtime friends, leading Coppola to invite Figgis to the Megalopolis set just before principal photography began and allowing him to document freely. With a small camera and crew throughout the shoot, Figgis’s unrestricted access provided the foundation for Megadoc, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process of one of the most esteemed directors in film history and the ambitious nature of his most significant film.”

      “Francis granted me access to everything, including the incredible archival materials he has amassed from the numerous script readings that evolved over time. I had almost complete freedom to explore where I wished,” Figgis remarked. “The cast was candid about their working situation and how they navigated the unique quirks of Francis and his distinct approach. It was a privilege to witness such a pivotal moment in film history.”

      “The remarkable filmmaker Mike Figgis captured the creation of MEGALOPOLIS as he perceived it,” Coppola stated. “Interestingly, there are various interpretations of what truly transpired, all of which are included in the documentary, although it doesn’t always clarify which is which…it is left for the audience to see and interpret.”

      The agreement for Megadoc was directly negotiated between Utopia and Figgis's independent production company, Red Mullet. Robert Schwartzman of Utopia expressed in a statement, “Eleanor Coppola’s legendary feature documentary, HEARTS OF DARKNESS, provided audiences with an incredible insight into the making of APOCALYPSE NOW; a film that has ultimately been considered one of the greatest cinematic experiences of its time and beyond. Mike Figgis’s MEGADOC will serve a similar purpose for MEGALOPOLIS, unveiling a behind-the-scenes journey that spans 40 years and showcasing one of the greatest filmmakers at work.”