When Lionsgate revealed June 17 it might convey Francis Ford Coppola’s $120 million ardour mission Megalopolis to U.S. theaters, loads of questions swirled — and never nearly whether or not an actor taking part in a reporter would present up at screenings to ask questions of Adam Driver’s onscreen character halfway via the film, as occurred at Cannes. (The reply to that query, based on sources, is sure, when in any respect potential.)
Extra pressingly, of us in Hollywood puzzled if the deal referred to as for Lionsgate to place its personal pores and skin within the recreation by paying for any of Megalopolis’ advertising and marketing. In spite of everything, different suitors balked at that prospect after a late March screening for studio heads.
Lionsgate, it seems, is not going to be paying for advertising and marketing. As an alternative, Coppola is anticipated to offer the spend himself. Lionsgate intends to place the characteristic on greater than 1,500 screens, which sources within the distribution world say would require round $15 million to $20 million in advertising and marketing. It’s unclear how a lot Megalopolis’ marketing campaign will entail.
The movie will even play on some Imax screens, probably a boon for the mission, which is banking on Coppola’s standing as one of many nice dwelling filmmakers to attract in aficionados.
Coppola famously retains possession of his motion pictures, which is why he has been capable of ship numerous cuts of his classics like Apocalypse Now, and he at all times supposed to train full management over Megalopolis. Lionsgate has a protracted relationship with Coppola on residence releases, and sees the upside of including yet one more to the roster.
And in the long run, for Coppola it might be about extra than simply cash. All through his press tour, he maintained his hope that the message of the film — about an obsessive man pouring himself right into a mission to construct a greater world — would reside on after him.
Pamela McClintock contributed to this story.
This story appeared within the June 18 difficulty of The Hollywood Reporter journal. Click on right here to subscribe.