Coppola Addresses Scandal in Megalopolis Trailer
- Francis Ford Coppola responds to critics over controversial scene in Megalopolis trailer.
- Coppola accused of hugging and kissing a female extra without permission during filming of a nightclub scene.
- Controversy erupted in May, sparking backlash and scrutiny on the filmmaker.
A full-length trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film "Megalopolis" has been released, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf. However, the film's production has come under scrutiny following the release of behind-the-scenes videos by Variety, which depict Coppola interacting closely with actresses during a club scene filmed in Atlanta. One actress, Lauren Pagone, alleged that Coppola approached her while she was dancing, pulling her in for a hug and kiss. Pagone, who has experience working on various productions, noted that previous projects always included an intimacy coordinator for scenes involving physical contact. She described the atmosphere on set as surprising, with Coppola reportedly kissing multiple female extras after calling cut. A crew member corroborated these claims, stating that Coppola's behavior was frequent and disruptive, leading to discomfort among the cast and crew. The crew member described their experience on set as "super weird and uncomfortable," labeling it as potentially their "worst experience on a set ever." They recounted instances where Coppola would leap up to hug and kiss women, often ruining takes in the process. Following the allegations, actress Menz expressed her disgust and disappointment, claiming the scene was meant to be filmed on a closed set, raising questions about the legitimacy of the videos. As the controversy unfolds, it remains unclear whether the individuals who filmed the behind-the-scenes footage were authorized to do so, and the implications of these allegations on the film's release are yet to be determined.