NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� After months of conjecture about the fate of has finally found a home.
Lionsgate will distribute 鈥淢egalopolis鈥� in U.S. and Canadian theaters, the studio announced Monday, ending one of the biggest acquisition dramas of the year. Coppola's $120-million Roman epic set in a futuristic New York will land in theaters, including IMAX screens, on Sept. 27.
Coppola first privately screened 鈥淢egalopolis,鈥� his first film in 13 years, for potential buyers late March in Los Angeles. Word quickly filtered out about the unique nature of 鈥淢egalopolis,鈥� along with some skepticism over its financial potential. Last month, it where the film was met with mixed reviews but broad admiration for its daring.
Coppola has previously collaborated with Lionsgate on several home movie releases, including
鈥淥ne rule of business I鈥檝e always followed and prioritized (to my benefit) is to continue working with companies and teams who over time have proven to be good friends as well as great collaborators," Coppola said in a statement. 鈥淭his is why I am thrilled to have (Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair) Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate Studios release 鈥楳egalopolis.鈥� I am confident they will apply the same tender love and care given to 'Apocalypse Now,' which is currently in its 45th year of astounding revenue and appreciation.鈥�
In the film, Adam Driver stars as Cesar, an artist-inventor with dreams of a utopian metropolis at odds with the city's mayor (Giancarlo Esposito). It co-stars Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.
Coppola has spent decades pondering 鈥淢egalopolis鈥� and ultimately sold off pieces of his considerable wine empire to largely finance it himself. The film, which previously landed distribution deals for many international territories, has experimental aspects to it. Screenings thus far have included a live moment when an actor walks on stage and addresses a question to the screen.
鈥淔rancis is a legend," said Fogelson in a statement. "For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him, and to bring this incredible, audacious, and utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences. At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and Megalopolis proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.鈥�
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Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
