On September 23, Megalopolis held 60 paid preview screenings across the country, bringing in less than $400,000.
Megalopolis Struggles to Find Its Footing: A Rocky Start for Francis Ford Coppola’s $120M Epic
Francis Ford Coppola’s long-anticipated dystopian drama, Megalopolis, opened to an underwhelming response, both in terms of box office numbers and critical reception. Despite being helmed by one of the most revered directors in cinematic history, the film is reportedly on track to recover less than ten percent of its production budget in the opening weekend. The subdued performance during paid previews suggests that Coppola’s self-financed $120 million passion project may be headed for a challenging box office run.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Disappointing Preview Performance
On September 23, Megalopolis was screened in 60 paid preview showings across the United States. Expectations were high, given Coppola’s legendary status and the film’s star-studded cast, but the movie brought in less than $400,000 in total from these previews, according to Deadline. To put that into perspective, this is a disappointing figure for a film of such magnitude and budget, especially one that features big names like Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Shia LaBeouf.
Early box office projections based on these previews suggest that Megalopolis may only gross between $5 million to $7 million in its opening weekend. For a film that costs $120 million to make, recovering a small fraction of its budget within the first few days of release signals a rocky start. In comparison, other films releasing during the same weekend, such as Universal’s Wild Robot, are tracking much better. Wild Robot is expected to rake in over $20 million during its opening weekend, thanks to strong critical acclaim and a near-perfect 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Rough Path to the Big Screen
Coppola’s passion for Megalopolis has been well-documented. The film has been described as a sprawling dystopian epic, tackling themes of utopian society and political collapse. However, its journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth. The film had its premiere at the New York Film Festival earlier this week, marking a significant milestone for the project. However, the initial reception has been lukewarm, with Megalopolis receiving only 51% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes following its Cannes Film Festival premiere.
One of the film’s biggest challenges came long before it hit theaters. Despite Coppola’s legendary status in Hollywood, Megalopolis struggled to find buyers at the Cannes Film Festival, where distributors typically flock to snatch up prestige projects. This raised eyebrows in the industry, considering the director’s legacy and the star power attached to the film. Eventually, Lionsgate stepped in, agreeing to distribute the movie in exchange for a fee. This deal worked in the studio’s favor, as Deadline reports that Lionsgate stands to make over $3 million in profit, even if the film underperforms at the box office.
Critical Divide and Audience Reactions
The critical reception of Megalopolis has been divided. Following its Cannes premiere, the movie garnered mixed reviews, with critics praising certain aspects, such as the film’s visual style, but expressing disappointment in its overall narrative and pacing. The film currently holds a modest 51% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is far from the glowing reviews Coppola might have hoped for.
Yet, despite the lukewarm response from critics, the film has managed to resonate with certain audience members. Early viewers of the paid previews have praised the film’s ambition and artistry. One fan described the movie as “a fascinating and beautiful film, more like a piece of artwork than a typical narrative-driven movie.” They continued, “It feels like a dream, a reverie. While it has exciting parts, it’s not dramatically propulsive. However, the performances, particularly by Driver and Esposito, are standout, making their philosophies personal and bringing their complexities to life.”
This kind of response highlights the divide between critics and audiences. While some viewers are praising Megalopolis for its artistic value, others may find it lacking in the excitement and pace typical of blockbuster films. This divide could explain the film’s early struggles in finding its audience, as it may appeal more to cinephiles than mainstream moviegoers.
The Battle at the Box Office
The release of Megalopolis comes at a particularly competitive time. Universal’s Wild Robot is set to release alongside Coppola’s film, and its prospects look significantly brighter. The animated feature has received rave reviews from critics, boasting a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. With strong critical acclaim and a projected $20 million-plus opening weekend, Wild Robot is poised to dominate the box office. Its family-friendly appeal and high-quality animation will likely draw in a broad range of viewers, giving it an advantage over the more niche and esoteric Megalopolis.
In contrast, the challenge for Megalopolis lies in its ability to attract a wider audience. While Coppola’s name alone may be enough to draw in cinephiles and fans of art cinema, the film’s complex themes, slow pacing, and mixed reviews could deter more casual moviegoers. The early performance suggests that the film may not have the broad appeal needed to recover its hefty production budget.
What Lies Ahead for Megalopolis?
Given the film’s underwhelming start, the question remains: what’s next for Megalopolis? Despite its slow box office start, there’s still a chance that the film could find success in the long run. As with many auteur-driven projects, Megalopolis may build momentum through word of mouth, particularly if it continues to resonate with certain segments of the audience. Additionally, the movie’s ambitious scope and artistic ambition could make it a strong contender for future awards, potentially boosting its performance later in the year.
However, the road ahead is undeniably challenging. Megalopolis faces stiff competition from more commercially viable films like Wild Robot, and its mixed critical reception could limit its appeal to mainstream audiences. Whether or not the film can recover from its slow start will depend on its ability to capture the attention of moviegoers in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, but its rocky start at the box office and mixed reviews have cast doubt on its long-term prospects. With less than $400,000 earned from paid previews and modest projections for the opening weekend, the film faces an uphill battle. Still, with its bold artistic vision and devoted fan base, Megalopolis may yet find its place as a cult classic, even if it falls short of commercial success. Only time will tell if this ambitious epic can turn things around.
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