Francis Ford Coppola Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Variety Over ‘Megalopolis’ Article

The long-running controversy over Francis Ford Coppola’s epic film project Megalopolis just intensified: the acclaimed filmmaker has filed a defamation suit against Variety. Coppola sued in Los Angeles Superior Court over what he said was a defamation of character about his behavior on the set of his film.

An article, shared by Variety on 6 July, featuring one still and a further video from a crew member, appeared to show Coppola, now 85, trying to kiss young female extras on set, and that there were no proper protocols in place to handle allegations or cases of harassment.

Coppola, in turn, has denied those allegations and has filed a countersuit demanding $15 million in damages and a jury trial. A representative from Penske Media Corporation, Variety’s parent company, defended the publication’s reporting, stating, “While we will not comment on active litigation, we stand by our reporters.”

Coppola’s Comments on The Filed Lawsuit

Coppola, renowned for his work on classics such as ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now,’ was described in the lawsuit as a “creative genius,” with claims that the allegations were fueled by jealousy.

According to the complaint, the statements in the Variety article were false and defamatory, intended to tarnish Coppola’s reputation and cause emotional distress.

Coppola’s legal team criticized the reliance on anonymous sources, arguing that these individuals broke their nondisclosure agreements and should not be considered credible.

The lawsuit also disputed the claim that the production lacked mechanisms to address potential harassment complaints, stressing that the set had proper checks and balances in place.

In a statement shared with People, Coppola expressed his disappointment: “Nothing in my 60+ years career can equal the painstakingly difficult, yet artistically triumphant journey of bringing Megalopolis to the screen. It was a collaboration of hundreds of artists, from extras to box office stars, to whom I consistently displayed the utmost respect and my deepest gratitude.”

He further added, “To see our collective efforts tainted by false, reckless, and irresponsible reporting is devastating. No publication, especially a legacy industry outlet, should be enabled to use surreptitious video and unnamed sources in pursuit of their own financial gain.”

While Coppola refrained from further media comments, he vowed to defend his reputation in court, stating, “While I have no intention of litigating this in the media, I will vigorously defend my reputation and have trust in the courts to hold them accountable.”

The Guardian Also Publishes Allegations

The controversy surrounding Coppola didn’t begin with Variety’s report. A month prior, The Guardian also published allegations of inappropriate behavior on the Megalopolis set.

Several anonymous crew members described the director’s actions as “old school” and claimed he pulled women onto his lap and attempted to kiss topless extras during the filming of a nightclub scene.

However, Darren Demetre, an executive co-producer on Megalopolis, came to Coppola’s defense, telling The Guardian, “There were two days when we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players.”

Additional Issues With Megalopolis

The Megalopolis project has faced more than just allegations of misconduct. The film’s 2½-minute trailer, released last month, was quickly pulled after social media users pointed out that it contained fabricated quotes from reviews.

The film, which took Coppola over four decades to develop, stars an ensemble cast including Laurence Fishburne, Adam Driver, and Aubrey Plaza. The film is set for release in IMAX theaters on September 23, followed by a wider release on September 27.

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Further Lawsuits Emerge For Coppola

In addition to Coppola’s lawsuit against Variety, one of the extras involved in the film, Lauren Pagone, has filed a separate lawsuit against the director, alleging civil assault and battery.

In an interview with Variety, Pagone shared that she was “left in shock” after Coppola allegedly hugged and kissed her without consent. Pagone’s legal action contrasts with another extra’s account, Rayna Menz, who had stated in Deadline that she did not feel uncomfortable on set.

Coppola, in response to questions about these allegations before the lawsuit was filed, stated, “I don’t even want to talk about it. It’s a waste of time.” Later, in the same interview, Coppola emphasized his respect for women, recalling advice from his mother: “She said, ‘Francis, if you ever make a pass at a girl, that means you disrespect her.’ So I never did.”

The lawsuit also disputes specific claims made in the Variety article, including the allegation that Coppola inadvertently disrupted a scene. The suit contends that Coppola was aware he would be visible in certain camera angles and that his presence was intentional.

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