Did the Megalopolis trailer use fake review quotes? Lionsgate pulls preview and issues apology

Lionsgate recently released a new trailer for Megalopolis online, as its September 27, 2024, release date inches closer. The film, which is said to be legendary director Francis Ford's Coppola's Swan Song, stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and more.

While Megalopolis has been shrouded in controversy recently, Coppola's swan song was the talk of town again, and for all the wrong reasons. The latest trailer posted by Lionsgate begins with highlighting negative review quotes that Coppola's past films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now received. However, the main caveat is that none of the quotes themselves were real.

Shortly after the trailer's release, netizens quickly realized that none of the quotes used in them were real. From Roger Ebert to Paul Kiebel, quotes from popular critics were used but none of them could be found in their initial reviews.

While the intention behind the trailer was to make it seem like Megalopolis would stand the test of time just like Coppola's other films, it certainly looks like the trailer just shrouded the film with more controversy.

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Lionsgate pulled Megalopolis's trailer amidst controversy

Shortly after netizens caught on to the fact that fake quotes were used in the trailer, Lionsgate went ahead and withdrew the trailer. Additionally, they issued an apology via Variety calling the issue an "inexcusable error" and saying that they "screwed up."

“Lionsgate is 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," said a spokeperson for Lionsgate via Variety.

Following the trailer's release, it received a wide negative response as many took issues with the fabrication of quotes in it. A critic, by the name of Owen Gleiberman writing at Variety, also issued his own response due to the trailer featuring a misquote from his review of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

“Even if you’re one of those people who don’t like critics, we hardly deserve to have words put in our mouths. Then again, the trivial scandal of all this is that the whole ‘Megalopolis’ trailer is built on a false narrative. Critics loved ‘The Godfather.’ And though ‘Apocalypse Now’ was divisive, it received a lot of crucial critical support. As far as me calling ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ ‘a beautiful mess,’ I only wish I’d said that! Regarding that film, it now sounds kind," said Gleiberman.

This wouldn't be the first time that the film would be shrouded in controversy as previous allegations of misconduct on the film's set were leveled against Coppola as well. In a video released back in July, Coppola could be seen trying to kiss the extras on film, with many claiming that the director showed unprofessional behavior on set as well.

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What is Megalopolis about?

Megalopolis is director Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming final film. The film focuses on a visionary architect who clashes with the mayor of his city as both have different ideas on how to build their metropolis city after it was subject to a brutal attack.

The film stars Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito in the lead. They will be joined by Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, and more.

It releases in theatres on September 27, 2024.