Francis Ford Coppola Claims He Invested $120M of His Own Money in Megalopolis for 'Enjoyment,' According to New Documentary

      "I have money. I already possess fame," says Francis Ford Coppola in the new documentary Megadoc, which focuses on the creation of his film Megalopolis.

      "I already have Oscars," he adds. "Do you know why I'm making this movie? For fun. I want to enjoy myself."

      Megadoc is directed by the acclaimed Mike Figgis, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for works like Leaving Las Vegas and Internal Affairs. In the teaser trailer for Megadoc, Figgis poses one of the questions he intends to address regarding Megalopolis:

      "How can someone invest $120 million of their own money into a film?"

      Coppola spent years envisioning last year’s Megalopolis, a narrative inspired by the Roman Empire. Set in New Rome, a sci-fi version of New York City, the film centers on architect Cesar Catilina (played by Adam Driver) as he confronts Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) in an effort to rejuvenate New Rome by constructing a futuristic utopia.

      Despite a star-studded cast that included Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman, the extravagant and uncompromising film had difficulty securing a distributor when Coppola presented it last year. It was ultimately acquired by Lionsgate, but only garnered a disappointing $14 million at the box office.

      Francis Ford Coppola, Mike Figgis, and Megadoc: The Story of Megalopolis

      Utopia is responsible for distributing Megadoc, which provides the following synopsis: "A candid, fly-on-the-wall documentary exploring Francis Ford Coppola’s extensive journey in realizing his self-funded passion project, Megalopolis.”

      “The bold and relentless epic re-emerges in Mike Figgis’ exploration of Coppola’s creative journey — intertwining archival footage, unfiltered cast interviews, and an intimate look at how the legendary director drew from Roman history, political allusion, and his unique vision to craft the world of Megalopolis. This is not merely a record of a production at a precipice; it is a personal memoir unfolding in real time," Utopia emphasized.

      Megalopolis continued a long-standing tradition of cinematic highs and lows for Coppola, who is undeniably one of the greatest filmmakers in history. Between 1972 and 1974, he directed The Godfather, The Conversation, and The Godfather II, establishing perhaps the most remarkable creative era for any director.

      The Conversation is highly esteemed, while the first two Godfather films are regarded as among the best ever produced. The first earned Coppola an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, and the second brought him Oscars for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

      Additionally: Francis Ford Coppola, Adam Driver Defend Megalopolis Set: ‘All Good Here!’

      However, Coppola took an extraordinary creative and financial leap: he traveled to the Philippines for the lengthy and challenging production of Apocalypse Now, often unsure of how he would conclude the Vietnam War film.

      Coppola’s late wife, Eleanor, captured his rigorous physical, psychological, and emotional struggles in footage that became vital to the 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. Furthermore, last year, writer Sam Wasson provided greater insight into Coppola's near losses during the making of Apocalypse Now in his book The Path to Paradise, which included frank interviews with Coppola.

      The book details how Apocalypse Now emerged as another significant success, yet was followed by the bold but unsuccessful One From the Heart. Nevertheless, Coppola invested wisely by acquiring a vineyard, whose substantial success allowed him to self-finance Megalopolis.

      Megadoc continues the rich tradition of films, books, and TV shows about the making of Coppola's audacious works: in 2022, The Offer fictionalized the creation of The Godfather, featuring Dan Fogler as Coppola.

      Now 86 years old, Coppola is currently developing a musical adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel, The Glimpses of the Moon.

      Megadoc will make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will be released in select theaters on Friday, September 19.

      Main image: Francis Ford Coppola, left, in Megadoc. Courtesy of Utopia.