Francis Ford Coppola’s long-gestatingMegalopolishas been making its way through the festival circuit, most recently premiering at theToronto International Film Festival. While details were initially scarce regarding the cinematic epic’s plot, it is now common knowledge that the plot follows Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) as he seeks to demolish New Rome to pave the way for a revolutionary building project. What sends the film into sci-fi territory is that the architect is using a new material (“megalon”) which could give him the power to control space and time.
Driver is joined by astrong ensemble cast inMegalopolis, including Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero, Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero, Aubrey Plaza as Wow Platinum, Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher, Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III, Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz, Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine, and Dustin Hoffman as Nush “The Fixer” Berman. Coppola has been a cultural icon for decades, given his work onApocalypse Now(1979),The Godfather(1972), andThe Godfather: Part II(1972), so it’s no wonder that stars young and old clamor to be part of his projects. Despite that,Megalopolishas courted its fair share of controversy, leaving audiences to wonder if the content can eclipse the clamor when it has its wide release.
Megalopolis Is Already Very Different From The Francis Ford Coppola’s Movies It Compares Itself To
Megalopolis boldly compares itself with several other Francis Ford Coppola classics, but this comparison seems shallow for more reasons than one.
Screen Rantinterviewed singer and actor Grace VanderWaal about her work onMegalopolis, specifically how her character Vesta Sweetwater uses the power of music. VanderWaal participated in the songwriting for the movie, and in order to do so had to access emotions and experiences that were very alien to her.
Grace VanderWaal’s Pop Singer Vesta Sweetwater Serves The Conservative Crowd In Megalopolis
Screen Rant: What can you tell me about Vesta and her music?
Grace VanderWaal: Vesta is a pop star, and she is just America’s little sweetheart. She serves the conservative crowd. She doesn’t do anything wrong, and she’s how more women should be. That is what she is, and she’s a little bit of a player of the system, one might say.
Screen Rant: You wrote two songs for the movie. What inner and outer resources did you use to get into Vesta’s mind for those songs?
Grace VanderWaal: When they wanted me to write her pledge song… I am not pledged celibate. [Laughs]
Honestly, I didn’t think as far ahead as to what would happen if I couldn’t write it. We’ll never know. I’m so happy it worked out. I have no idea what would happen if it didn’t work out. I just was able to do it.
While not strictly relevant to the movie, VanderWaal also took the time to introduce her friend and costume designer Liam Mackenzie, who crafted a gorgeous and striking outfit for her to wear on the red carpet that is undoubtedlyas unique asMegalopolisitself. The two joked around with reporters, while also hyping each other up, bringing a warmth and vivacious energy to what might have otherwise been a staid affair.
More About Megalopolis (2024)
Francis Ford Coppola has a long history of critical and commercial successes.
Wracked with grief over the death of his wife, Cesar Catilina (Driver) pours all his energy into his startling new invention, megalon, a building material that is infinitely malleable and miraculously strong — and may just imbue its creator with the power to control time and space. The federal government grants Catilina permission to demolish large parts of New Rome to make way for his colossal building project, Megalopolis, outraging the city’s mayor, Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who clings to the status quo. Adding insult to injury, Cicero’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel) falls in love with Catilina, positioning herself at the centre of a grand conflict between cynicism and lofty ideals.
Megalopolis
Cast
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.
