Summary

• Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, blends sci-fi, Roman history, and political drama in a sprawling epic.
• The film's ambitious scope and genre mash-up make it exciting for audiences, but potential box office success remains uncertain.
• Concerns arise from the enigmatic first footage, leaving distributors unsure of the film's target audience and marketability.

Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited Megalopolis is finally set to hit theaters after decades of delays and production problems, yet despite the sense of anticipation, early footage from the film has some worrying implications for its prospects. Starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, and Nathalie Emmanuel, the movie is a sprawling and ambitious epic that is set to incorporate elements of sci-fi, Roman history, and political drama. However, while this scope makes it one of the most exciting movies of 2024, it also explains the main problem with the movie – typified by the first footage.

Megalopolis' journey from inception to screen has been extremely tortured. Coppola began work on the project as far back as 1983 after conceiving of his initial idea in the 70s. The director's ambitious plan involved blending elements of modern New York City with ancient Rome, using a similar technique to James Joyce's Homeric adaptation, Ulysses. However, while Coppola's plans became increasingly ambitious, he struggled to find backers for the project – eventually funding it himself. With such a complicated journey to the screen, it's perhaps unsurprising that Megalopolis' first footage provides more questions than answers.

Megalopolis' Unique Premise Makes It Impossible To Market (Proving Those Reports Right)

Such is the mythical status of Coppola's project that rumors have consistently swirled about its viability ever since production began in 2019. Ahead of the movie's debut at the Cannes Film Festival, speculation has been even more fevered – fueled by the noise following a special distributor screening in March. However, for all the excitement about the film, much of the reaction following the March event was disappointingly negative. Almost immediately, concerns began to circulate that the movie was too niche to find mass-appeal, straddling multiple genres at once. This approach has now been confirmed by Megalopolis' enigmatic first footage.

In the clip, which serves as a teaser trailer for the film, Adam Driver is seen stepping out of the window of a New York skyscraper. Clouds scud with incredible speed overhead, suggesting a sci-fi setting. However, the impression of the city seems entirely contemporary, with little indication of anything overtly futuristic. To make things more confusing, Driver's character seems to be able to stop and restart time, suggesting a supernatural element.

While more might be revealed in due course, it's easy to see why some distributors were uncomfortable betting heavily on Megalopolis' potential success.

This clip seems indicative of all the potential issues that were highlighted after the New York distributor event. Although the footage seems to have been deliberately chosen to give away as little about the film as possible, the result is that Megalopolis feels incredibly ambiguous. It is not clear from this video who the film is aimed at, or what the story might be about. While more might be revealed in due course, it's easy to see why some distributors were uncomfortable betting heavily on Megalopolis' potential success, since it's hard to see which audience it's trying to appeal to.

Megalopolis' Genre Mashup Makes It Much More Exciting For Audiences

With so many elements being blended together, it's understandable that some in the industry consider Megalopolis a huge risk. However, on the flip side, the fact that the movie contains so many seemingly disparate elements makes it an extremely exciting prospect for audiences. In an era where, from a studio perspective, consistency, bankability, and formula are all seen as a better way to guarantee return on investment, the result is that many films don't take risks. Whatever else can be said about Megalopolis, it's clear that the movie won't be afraid to push boundaries.

...cinema-goers may be much more inclined to forgive a polarizing film that gambles with bold concepts and unconventional storytelling

Compared to the millions distributors and studios typically have to stump up for a film to get made, the price of a theater ticket is a relatively small investment for an audience member. As a result, cinema-goers may be much more inclined to forgive a polarizing film that gambles with bold concepts and unconventional storytelling, since their money isn't on the line to the same extent. The fact that Coppola has been given total creative freedom on Megalopolis means it will be a genuinely original vision – a truly exciting prospect for viewers unburdened by financial concerns, considering Coppola's credentials.

Why We're Worried About Megalopolis' Box Office Prospects

As intriguing as Megalopolis' proposed genre mash-up and mysterious early footage are, the film's first clip lays bare all the previously cited concerns. It is unclear, for instance, whether the movie's unique selling point will be impressive spectacle (as would usually be the case with a typical $120 million blockbuster), award-worthy performances, or a mind-bending concept. So little has been revealed of the film that it's hard to argue what exactly is being sold to potential viewers. With little understanding of what to expect, it's unlikely that most audiences will be happily willing to commit their time and money towards something so nebulous.

It's also true that storytelling conventions and tropes have generally arisen because they are successful. Trying to pioneer something genuinely original is a noble goal, but it also cements the idea that the whole film is a gamble. Many of the biggest bombs in box office history have failed because they failed to appeal to specific, potentially lucrative sections of the market. Megalopolis' ambiguity might make it intriguing, but it's also unlikely to mark it out as a "must-see" in the minds of most typical movie-goers. Balancing between originality and viability is a difficult tightrope. For all its ambition, Megalopolis may yet fall off.