Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has opened up about his profound connection to the Roman Empire, shedding light on how this historical fascination has influenced his upcoming project, ‘Megalopolis.’
Taking to Instagram, Coppola joined a popular TikTok trend by posing the viral question: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”
In response, Coppola revealed, “A lot.” He went on to explain that the Roman Republic served as a pivotal example for the United States and its institutions. Furthermore, it has played a central role in inspiring his forthcoming film, ‘Megalopolis.’
The viral trend has been circulating on social media, with women asking men in their lives about their thoughts on the Roman Empire. Most men have responded by stating that they think about it daily or several times a week.
Coppola, renowned for directing ‘The Godfather,’ delved deeper into his fascination with the Roman Republic. He highlighted the historical struggle between political parties, where the Republic’s interests eventually succumbed to the ambitions of a select few powerful individuals. These individuals aligned themselves with political parties to establish their wealth and authority, often relying on armed forces to achieve their goals. This shift dealt a significant blow to an already faltering constitution.
‘Megalopolis’ centers around an architect’s quest to rebuild New York City into a utopian paradise following a catastrophic disaster. The star-studded cast includes Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Talia Shire, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman.
This science fiction drama has been a decades-long passion project for Coppola. In 2021, it was revealed that he was personally financing the $120 million film.
In March 2022, Coppola expressed his commitment to the project in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating that he was investing his own resources to ensure the film’s realization. He emphasized the importance of challenging conventional filmmaking norms and embracing innovative ideas that may shape the future of cinema.
While ‘Megalopolis’ does not have a specific release date yet, it is eagerly anticipated to hit theaters sometime in the coming year.
