Lionsgate has retracted the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film Megalopolis after it was discovered that negative quotes attributed to notable critics were fabricated. The studio issued an apology stating, “We are immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis. We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We screwed up. We are sorry.”
The trailer seemed to embrace a controversial marketing strategy by showcasing supposed criticisms from revered film critics such as Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris. However, upon further examination, it became clear that these critics had not made the disparaging remarks attributed to them. For instance, Kael had praised both The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, calling them a “bicentennial picture that doesn’t insult the intelligence” and appreciating Coppola’s artistry. The supposed quote in the trailer suggesting that The Godfather is “diminished by its artsiness” could not be found in her writings.
Similarly, while Sarris was known for being a contrarian, there is no evidence to support the claim that he referred to The Godfather as “a sloppy, self-indulgent movie.” Vincent Canby did not label Apocalypse Now as “hollow at the core,” and while Rex Reed had critical views about Apocalypse Now, the quote used in the trailer does not exist in his review. Even Roger Ebert’s largely positive remarks about Bram Stoker’s Dracula do not include the phrase “a triumph of style over substance.”
The intentions behind using these dubious quotes remain unclear. It raises questions about whether the filmmakers believed the public would overlook the inaccuracies, assuming a general disinterest in factual accuracy in today’s digital landscape. Alternatively, it could have been a tactic to generate curiosity about the critics’ actual reviews.
Coppola has a history of creating films that spark mixed reactions initially but are later recognized as significant works of art. Although Megalopolis appears to be eliciting a range of responses, it is expected to benefit from critical support upon its release. Misrepresenting critical opinions through fabricated quotes may not be the best approach to garner goodwill from critics or audiences.