Exclusive: Francis Ford Coppola, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel talk Megalopolis & his classic films
Hitting IMAX theaters from Lionsgate on Sept.27 is famed director Francis Ford Coppola's latest film, Megalopolis, which stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Talia Shire, Grave Vanderwaal, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman.
An accident destroys a New York City-like metropolis already in decay. Cesar, an idealist, aims to rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia, while the venal mayor, Frank Cicero, has other plans. Coming between the opposing men and their visions is Frank's socialite daughter, Julia. Tired of the attention and power she was born with, Julia searches for her life's meaning.
Megalopolis is written and directed by the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, his 23rd feature film, director of many other films including The Godfather Trilogy Part I-III, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, One from the Heart, The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Jack, The Rainmaker, Youth Without Youth, Tetro, and Twixt previously.
It's also produced by Coppola, with Michael Bederman and Barry J. Hirsch. Made by Coppola's company American Zoetrope. This initially premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
For Esposito, he gets to reunite with Coppola 40 years he appeared in his 1984 film The Cotton Club. More recently, he appeared in Ti West’s MaXXXine, and the horror comedy Abigail.. On the small screen, he starred in the AMC crime drama series Parish, had a supporting role in the Netflix series The Gentlemen and starred in the Netflix series Kaleidoscope. He’s best known for portraying Gus Fring in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad, from 2009 to 2011, as well as in its prequel series Better Call Saul, from 2017 to 2022.
Emmanuel is best known for her role of Missandei in the HBO series Game of Thrones. She’s appeared in several Fast and Furious films as Ramsey. Notably, Emmanuel starred in Quibi’s Die Hart opposite Kevin Hart and John Travolta, earning her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. She reprised the role in the sequel Die Harter. The actress starred in Screen Gems’ horror film The Invitation opposite Thomas Doherty, which went to No. 1 at the box office on its opening weekend. Before that she starred in Netflix’s heist comedy Army of Thieves, the prequel to Army of the Dead.
Blackfilmandtv.com correspondent Julian Roman talks to legendary director, writer and producer Francis Ford Coppola, Giancarlo Esposito, and Nathalie Emmanuel about Megalopolis and how it compares to his classic films (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now)