Francis Ford Coppola sues Variety over story alleging 'Megalopolis' misconduct in Georgia

Francis Ford Coppola has sued Variety, saying that a July story that said he ran an unprofessional set with impunity and tried to kiss female extras during the Georgia-based production of his film Megalopolis was false and libelous.
Francis Ford Coppola, the writer/director of "Megalopolis," poses at the premiere of the film at Roy Thomson Hall during the Toronto International Film Festival, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Francis Ford Coppola has sued Variety, saying that a July story that said he ran an unprofessional set with impunity and tried to kiss female extras during the Georgia-based production of his film “Megalopolis” was false and libelous.

The suit, which seeks at least $15 million from the entertainment trade publication, was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, two weeks before the director’s long-dreamed-of and self-financed epic is to be released in U.S. theaters.

The suit calls the 85-year-old director of “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” a “creative genius” and says others are “jealous” and therefore tell “knowing and reckless falsehoods.”