The highly anticipated epic film “Megalopolis” from legendary director Francis Ford Coppola has hit a major roadblock at the North American box office, opening with just $4 million in ticket sales. Meanwhile, the animated feature “The Wild Robot” took the top spot over the weekend. This significant contrast has raised questions about the future of Coppola’s passion project.
A Disappointing Start for Megalopolis
Despite premiering at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in May, “Megalopolis” fell short of expectations. Initial box office predictions estimated between $5 to $7 million, but the film’s performance was even lower. With a massive production budget of $120 million, entirely self-funded by Coppola, these figures spell a financial disaster for the project.
For comparison, Kevin Costner’s self-financed western, “Horizon: An American Saga – Part One”, grossed $11 million in North America over the summer and went on to earn $36 million worldwide. Unfortunately, low ticket sales for “Megalopolis” have led to doubts about its profitability and future prospects.
Challenging Competition in the Box Office Rankings
“Megalopolis” opened at sixth place in the North American box office, trailing behind the Telugu action film “Devara: Part 1”. The Indian blockbuster took in $6.7 million from just 1,040 theaters, outperforming Coppola’s ambitious project.
The Critic Controversy and Marketing Setback
The promotional efforts for “Megalopolis” were also hit by a controversy. Lionsgate, the studio distributing the film in the U.S., tried to counter negative reviews by releasing a trailer quoting film critics who initially panned Coppola’s earlier works, which later became classics. However, Vulture magazine revealed that these quotes were either fabricated or generated by AI, forcing Lionsgate to retract the trailer and issue a public apology.
A Futuristic Plot with a Star-Studded Cast
Set in a futuristic America, “Megalopolis” follows an architect, played by Adam Driver, who faces off against a corrupt mayor (portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito) to rebuild a city known as New Rome after a disaster. The film also stars Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, and Laurence Fishburne.
Coppola, known for directing cinematic masterpieces such as The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, has described “Megalopolis” as a deeply personal film. He intentionally cast actors who he believes were “canceled” by Hollywood to give them a second chance at the spotlight.
For fans in Romania, the wait continues, as “Megalopolis” is set to debut in the country’s cinemas on November 8.
The Wild Robot Claims Victory
In stark contrast to “Megalopolis,” the animated film “The Wild Robot” enjoyed a strong opening weekend, grossing $35 million in North American theaters. With an additional $18 million in global sales, the film has already accumulated $53 million worldwide. Made on a budget of $78 million, the film’s early success sets the stage for a promising box office run.
Critics and audiences have showered “The Wild Robot” with praise, earning a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A rating on CinemaScore. This strong reception bodes well for the film’s continued presence in theaters, following the trend of family animated films like Pixar’s Elemental and Illumination’s Migration, which saw prolonged success even after modest debuts.
The movie features a stellar voice cast led by Lupita Nyong’o, who voices a robot named Roz stranded on a deserted island. Other notable voices include Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, and Catherine O’Hara, who bring the island’s animal inhabitants to life.
Bollywood Dominance: Devara Shines
Meanwhile, “Devara: Part 1”, an Indian action film in Telugu, grabbed fourth place in the box office rankings, bringing in $6.7 million from a relatively small number of theaters. Starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr., known for his role in RRR, the three-hour epic follows two brothers torn apart by an arms smuggling ring.
Conclusion: Megalopolis’ Fate Hangs in the Balance
While “Megalopolis” represents an ambitious and heartfelt project from one of cinema’s greatest directors, its box office struggles highlight the risks involved with self-financed films. Despite the disappointing debut, fans of Coppola may still hold out hope that the film will achieve cult status in the years to come, much like his previous works that were initially met with mixed reviews.
About Francis Ford Coppola:
Francis Ford Coppola is an iconic American filmmaker, best known for his work on The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now. Throughout his career, Coppola has been praised for his visionary direction, earning numerous Academy Awards and cementing his place as one of the greatest directors of all time.
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