Lionsgate Apologizes for False Quotes in Megalopolis Trailer
Lionsgate Recalls Trailer Amidst Controversy
Lionsgate has retracted the latest trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film Megalopolis after it was discovered that the trailer featured fabricated quotes from critics. The inclusion of these fake quotes has raised significant concerns about the authenticity of the production, casting a shadow over what was intended to be a major cinematic event.
The apology and fallout
In response to the backlash, a Lionsgate spokesperson issued a statement saying, “Lionsgate is immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis. We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We screwed up. We are sorry.” The company took swift action after the trailer, released on August 21, was met with severe criticism for its use of fabricated quotes attributed to prominent critics like Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael.
Online backlash and falsified claims
The trailer, intended to generate buzz similar to Coppola’s past successes like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, instead faced harsh scrutiny online. None of the quotes attributed to the critics were genuine, with Roger Ebert’s supposed comment, “a triumph of style over substance,” actually being a line from his 1989 review of Batman—not Coppola’s Dracula, as the trailer misleadingly suggested.
Ongoing issues for Megalopolis
This controversy adds to the challenges already facing Megalopolis. Just last month, the film was embroiled in another scandal when reports surfaced of Coppola’s alleged unprofessional behavior on set, including a video where he was seen trying to forcibly kiss young female extras. Despite these issues, Megalopolis is set to release in U.S. theaters on September 27.
As the release date approaches, both the studio and Coppola face heightened scrutiny, with fans and critics alike watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.