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The case of fake reviews imagined by artificial intelligence in the new trailer of Megalopolis is closed, but the one on the inappropriate behavior of its director, Francis Ford Coppolaon the set has just reopened with a new twist.
Last July, Variety shares two videos showing the filmmaker trying to hug and kiss on the cheek female extras, most of whom are in scantily clad clothing, or even topless during a nightclub sequence, for “get them in the mood.” The scene was filmed by a crew member during the filming of the main structure in Atlanta in 2023. This information helps support the first similar account given by The Guardian at the Cannes Film Festival where the film was screened. The American media adds that the lack of external funding made Coppola the boss.
Megalopolis: Videos of Francis Ford Coppola's inappropriate behavior published
On several occasions, the director from Apocalypse Now and of Godfather insisted on giving his version of events, denying the accusations against him. This was not enough to proclaim his innocence. Therefore, legal proceedings were initiated against Variety and its executive editors Tatiana Siegel and Brent Lang, who signed the original article, paid a settlement of $15 million.
The complaint was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. In the report written by the filmmaker's lawyers and shared by Deadlinethe latter underline his creative genius which can make some people jealous:
“These people therefore consciously and recklessly denigrate and tell lies about those they are jealous of.”
Regarding the videos, the lawyers clarified that anyone who worked on Megalopolis signed non-disclosure agreements. Also, Variety, fully aware of this information, exchanged with individuals subject to these confidentiality agreements and therefore unreliable.
According to them, they would have proven to the media that the videos were fake – which would not have stopped it from sharing them. The objective of this trial is therefore: “to clear his name and obtain public recognition of the lies of Variety.”
In a statement from the filmmaker shared by these representatives and relayed by several media outlets, we can read that these accusations could have caused him harm:
“Nothing in my sixty-year career can match the laborious but artistically triumphant journey of bringing Megalopolis on the silver screen. It was a collaboration of hundreds of artists, extras, box office stars for whom I have always had the utmost respect and gratitude. And to see our collective efforts tainted by false and reckless reporting is devastating. No media outlet, especially a reputable legacy outlet, should be allowed to use surreptitiously captured and anonymous video for profit. While I have no intention of arguing my case in the media, I will vigorously defend my reputation, and I trust the courts to hold them accountable.”
For now, Variety said they would not comment on the dispute, but support their journalists.
Megalopolis will be released in France on September 25.
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