In a surprising turn of events, Lionsgate has removed the latest trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis due to misleading claims featured in the promotional material. The studio has expressed regret over the situation.
The trailer reportedly included several quotes falsely attributed to prominent film critics, raising questions about its authenticity. Legendary figures like Roger Ebert, Pauline Kael, and Owen Gleiberman from Variety were linked to these supposed statements, yet no evidence has surfaced to support the origin of these quotes.
Gleiberman responded to the controversy, emphasizing that misrepresenting critics undermines their credibility. He remarked on the absurdity of the situation, noting that the entire trailer was constructed on a misleading premise.
A representative for Lionsgate announced the immediate withdrawal of the Megalopolis trailer, extending heartfelt apologies to both the critics involved and to Coppola and American Zoetrope for this serious lapse in their evaluation process. The spokesperson acknowledged the mistake, emphasizing their regret.
This incident marks yet another challenge for the ambitious indie film, which has faced a wave of mixed feedback from festivals, compounded by a previous controversy involving the director's interactions with young actresses on set, behavior that has been deemed inappropriate by many in the film community.