Summary
Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolishas had a long, difficult road to its release despite its massive, star-studded ensemble cast.Francis Coppola’s filmographyincludes some of the greatest movies of all time, fromThe GodfathertoApocalypse NowtoThe Conversation, but he’s always had a reputation for going against the Hollywood curve. Coppola originally imagined the idea forMegalopolisback in 1977, and finally, in 2019, put up $120 million of his own investments to fund the project, allowing him to assemble an all-star acting roster.
With years of development,Megalopolishad to overcome several hurdles in production and distribution. The film finally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 and is finally set to be released on September 27. At Cannes,Megalopolisreceived largely mixed reviews, with many criticizing its experimental nature while others praised it as a daring work of art. AssumingMegalopoliscontinues receiving divisive responses from audiences, one thing is certain: the cast is enormously exciting.
Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina
Date Of Birth: July 28, 2025
Actor:Adam Driver is anAmerican actor from California who had his big break in HBO’sGirls. Following his TV notability, he was launched into worldwide fame as Kylo Ren in theStar Warssequel trilogy, which he played in all three installments. He’s since worked with many of the most acclaimed directors in the industry, including Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, Martin Scorsese, Noah Baumbach, Michael Mann, and more. For his role in 2019’sMarriage Story, Driver was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.
The Last Duel
Jacques le Gris
Character:Adam Driver plays the lead inMegalopolisas Cesar Catilina. He’s described as the Chairman of the Design Authority, a futuristic architect, and someone who can stop time. The trailers have briefly demonstrated this ability, leaning into the film’s science fiction elements.
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Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero
Date Of Birth: July 07, 2025
Actor:Nathalie Emmanuel is aBritish actress from Essex who had her big break as Missandei in HBO’sGame of Thronesupon joining the cast in the show’s third season. Emmanuel has since appeared in a number of blockbuster movies, including theMaze Runnerfranchise, theFast & Furiousfranchise, and Netflix’sArmy of Thieves. Post-Game of Thrones, the Francis Coppola epic could be Emmanuel’s biggest opportunity to shine yet, with the lead actress role among an immensely talented cast. In 2024, she has also starred inArthur the KingandThe Killer.
Arthur the King
Olivia
Character:Nathalie Emmanuel plays Julia Cicero inMegalopolis, the daughter of Giancarlo Esposito’s Mayor Franklyn Cicero and the love interest of Driver’s Cesar.
Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero
Date of Birth: June 14, 2025
Actor:Giancarlo Esposito is a veteran movie and television actor whogrew up in New York City, with his earliest hits including the films of Spike Lee, such asDo the Right ThingandMalcolm X. Esposito is now regarded as one of the most prominent actors in the industry, but it wasn’t until his role onBreaking Badthat his career really took off. He’s since had roles in several high-profile projects, includingThe Boys,The Mandalorian, andMaXXXine. In 2025, he’ll make his Marvel debut inCaptain America: Brave New World.
The Boys
Stan Edgar
Character:Esposito will play Franklyn Cicero inMegalopolis, and he’s described as New Rome’s “arch-conservative” mayor. It seems like he will be the primary antagonist and opposition to Driver’s Cesar.
Aubrey Plaza as Wow Platinum
Date of Birth: June 11, 2025
Actor:Aubrey Plaza is anAmerican actress from Wilmington, Delaware, who had her big break on NBC’s sitcomParks and Recreation.Plaza has since appeared in several movie and television roles, continuing to demonstrate her comedic chops while also proving herself to be an outstanding dramatic talent. Her most notable role was in 2022’s second season ofThe White Lotus, for which she earned multiple major award nominations. In 2024, she’ll be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the TV seriesAgatha All Along, playing Rio Vidal.
Parks and Recreation
Ingrid Goes West
Ingrid Thorburn
Character:InMegalopolis, Aubrey Plaza is playing a character named Wow Platinum, a television presenter who loves Cesar.
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Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher
Date of Birth: August 24, 2025
Actor:Shia LaBeouf is anAmerican actor from Los Angeles, California, who rose to notoriety as a child/teen actor in the late ’90s and early 2000s.Roles in movies likeHoles,Constantine,Transformers, andIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullled to LaBeouf being a widely recognized movie star. In the late 2010s and 2020s, LaBeouf has pursued primarily serious dramatic roles in films likeHoney Boy,Pieces of a Woman,The Peanut Butter Falcon, and now,Megalopolis.
Honey Boy
James Lort
Character:Shia LaBeouf’sMegalopolischaracteris named Clodio Pulcher, and he’s described as Cesar’s cousin who has a lustful romantic interest in Julia.
Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III
Date of Birth: August 17, 2025
Actor:Jon Voight is anAmerican actor who had his big movie break in 1969’sMidnight Cowboyalongside fellowMegalopolisstar Dustin Hoffman. Voight is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, and he has starred in dozens of well-known movie roles over the past six decades, fromMission: ImpossibletoPearl HarbortoNational Treasure. He’s been nominated for four Academy Awards throughout his career, winning Best Actor in 1979 forComing Home. He previously worked with Coppola on 1997’sThe Rainmaker.
National Treasure
Patrick Gates
Character:Jon Voight is playing Hamilton Crassus III, named after the famous Roman statesman Crassus. He’s Cesar’s uncle, known for his wealth as the head of a bank.
Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine
Date of Birth: July 12, 2025
Actor:Laurence Fishburne is anAmerican actor from Augusta, Georgia, who appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam epic,Apocalypse Now, back in 1979.Fishburne is now known as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors, with roles in various film and television franchises likeThe Matrix,CSI, the DCEU,John Wick, and the MCU. He’s also been praised for his many dramatic roles in movies likeBoyz n the Hood,What’s Love Got to Do with It, andMystic River.
Mystic River
Whitey Powers
Character:Laurence Fishburne stars inMegalopolisas Fundi Romaine, Cesar’s driver and assistant. Fundi also narrates the film.
Megalopolis Supporting Cast & Characters
Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina:Talia Shire is an American actress best known for her roles as Connie Corleone inThe Godfathertrilogy and Adrianne in theRockyseries. She’s had a historic career with multiple Academy Award nominations. InMegalopolis, she plays Cesar’s mother, Constance Crassus Catilina.
Kathryn Hunter as Teresa Cicero:Kathryn Hunter is a British-American actress with a career in film, theatre, and television dating back to the 1980s. Some of her most notable roles include Arabella Figg in theHarry Potterfranchise, Swiney inPoor Things, and Eedy Karn inAndor.
Grace VanderWaal as Vesta Sweetwater:Grace VanderWaal is an American singer/songwriter who wonAmerica’s Got Talent in2016. Mostly known for her music career,Megalopoliswill be just her third film role.
Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz:Jason Schwartzman is an American actor best known for his appearances in the movies of Wes Anderson, including lead roles inRushmoreandAsteroid City. He’s also had roles in several blockbuster movies, includingThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Dustin Hoffman as Nush Berman:Dustin Hoffman is widely considered one of the greatest actors of all time, best known for classic movies likeMidnight Cowboy,All the President’s Men,Rain Man,Kramer vs. Kramer, andThe Graduate.
Megalopolis
Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a visionary 2024 film exploring the ambitious dream of reconstructing New York City into a utopia, following a devastating disaster. The narrative delves into the clash between the architect’s utopian vision and the political and personal turmoil that ensues. With a star-studded cast, the film examines themes of ambition, power, and the human spirit’s resilience against the backdrop of a futuristic metropolis.
