Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ faces a challenging debut

A visionary project with a rocky start

Francis Ford Coppola’s ambitious sci-fi epic, Megalopolis, is set to make its debut with an underwhelming box office projection of $5 million to $7 million. This self-funded passion project by the legendary director, known for classics like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” has a lot riding on its success.

Financial stakes and distribution strategy

Coppola, now 85, independently financed “Megalopolis” with a staggering $120 million. After its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Lionsgate stepped in to handle the film’s release and marketing, in exchange for a distribution fee. The film is expected to be shown in 1,700 theaters across North America during its opening weekend. Given the high production costs, a single-digit start would be a significant setback.

Plot and critical reception

Set in a futuristic America, “Megalopolis” follows an architect, played by Adam Driver, who battles a corrupt mayor, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, over the reconstruction of New Rome after a disaster. The film has received mixed reviews, holding a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This divisive reception could either deter or intrigue potential viewers. Lionsgate attempted to capitalize on the controversy with a trailer featuring quotes from well-known critics who initially dismissed Coppola’s past works, which later became classics. However, it was revealed that these quotes were fabricated or generated by AI, leading to the trailer’s recall.

Competing releases: ‘The Wild Robot’ takes flight

In contrast, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot is expected to soar with a projected debut of $24 million to $30 million across 3,900 venues. Some industry analysts believe the film could exceed $30 million, though others remain cautious after the recent underperformance of “Transformers One,” which opened with $24.6 million.

Box office dynamics

“The Wild Robot” is poised to claim the top spot in North America, dethroning Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which has dominated the box office for three consecutive weekends. The spooky sequel is projected to earn $13 million to $15 million in its fourth weekend, while “Transformers One” is expected to add $12 million to $14 million in its second weekend.

Production and international performance

With a production budget of $78 million, “The Wild Robot” aims to replicate the enduring success of post-pandemic animated family films like Pixar’s “Elemental” and Illumination’s “Migration.” These films continued to attract audiences long after their initial releases. “The Wild Robot” has already made a mark internationally, earning $8 million from eight markets.

Voice cast and critical acclaim

Lupita Nyong’o leads the voice cast of “The Wild Robot,” a sci-fi survival story about a robot, ROZZUM unit 7134, also known as Roz, who is stranded on an uninhabited island and learns to adapt to her harsh surroundings. The film features voices from Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, and Catherine O’Hara, who portray the animals that befriend Roz. The film has been praised for its stunning visuals and emotional depth, with one critic describing it as “a gorgeous computer-generated cartoon with a human heart beating beneath its sleek, state-of-the-art surface.”

Limited release: ‘Saturday Night’

In limited release, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” offers a dramatic look at the lead-up to the first “Saturday Night Live” episode. The film, starring Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, and Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, will open in five venues in New York and Los Angeles. Sony plans to release the movie nationwide on October 11.

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