Megalopolis Director Cast ‘Canceled’ Actors To Avoid ‘Woke’ Label

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Megalopolis Director Cast 'Canceled' Actors To Avoid 'Woke' Label

As a cinephile with over four decades of film-watching under my belt, I find myself both intrigued and apprehensive about Francis Ford Coppola’s latest magnum opus, “Megalopolis.” The fact that he chose to cast actors who have seemingly been “canceled” by Hollywood piqued my interest immediately. It’s not every day we see Jon Voight playing a Trump-like figure or Adam Driver taking on an architect rebuilding New York City following a catastrophic event.

Prior to the release of Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film “Megalopolis” next month, the esteemed director is disclosing his reasons for casting actors who have been perceived as controversial or “canceled.” Featuring notable talents such as Jon Voight, Shia LaBeouf, Adam Driver, and Giancarlo Esposito, “Megalopolis” is set in a revised depiction of the United States. The story revolves around an architect striving to reconstruct New Rome (New York City) after a devastating catastrophe, while grappling with opposition from those in power.

“I didn’t want our project to be perceived as a preachy Hollywood production, instead of an engaging film. The cast includes individuals who have faced cancellations at some point. Among them are people with strong conservative views and others with progressive political beliefs. Yet, we all came together to work on this movie, making it quite intriguing, I must say.”

Individuals who have faced public backlash or “cancellation” include Jon Voight and Shia LaBeouf, two actors known for their contentious roles in Hollywood. Voight has been criticized due to his vocal support for Donald Trump, while LaBeouf has faced a range of issues, including abuse allegations from ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs. Intriguingly, Voight assumes the role of a Trump-like character in the film Megalopolis, portraying Hamilton Crassus III, the wealthy uncle of the protagonist Cesar Catilina, and head of Crassus National Bank.

Megalopolis Is Already Being “Canceled” Ahead of Its Debut

Initially envisioned by Coppola back in 1977, the project known as “Megalopolis” has been a deeply personal endeavor of his for many years, experiencing multiple setbacks along the way. Dissatisfied with the traditional studio system in Hollywood, the director made the bold decision to finance the entire $120 million production budget for the film independently. Speaking to Rolling Stone, he shared, “‘I have everything to lose here.’ In a sense, I feel like I have nothing left to lose anymore.'”

After its debut at this year’s 77th Cannes Film Festival, Megalopolis has sparked debate among critics, with audiences either finding it captivating or off-putting. Some have hailed it as a “remarkable” production, while others view it as the most costly self-indulgent project in cinema history. Additionally, there’s growing criticism towards Coppola’s latest work, with some considering its flaws severe enough to warrant boycott.

2022 saw the dismissal of the visual effects team by the director, with creative disputes arising between him and the cast and crew during production. More recently, accusations of inappropriate behavior by Coppola have emerged, such as unwanted touching and kissing of female extras. Last week, a trailer for the film Megalopolis sparked controversy over claims it manipulated AI-generated quotes to boost its promotion, prompting Lionsgate to withdraw it and issue an apology.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder if the turmoil surrounding “Megalopolis” and the public scrutiny of its “canceled” stars could impact its box office performance and possibly tarnish Coppola’s reputation. We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled when this epic sci-fi drama graces the silver screen on September 27.

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2024-08-26 21:01