Francis Ford Coppola self-financed the ambitious sci-fi epic. Megapolis – how much money did he spend on the film? Coppola thrives Megapolis Since the 1970s, this film has been half a century in the making. Coppola didn't just have to wait for visual effects technology to catch up to his heightened vision; a series of box office bombs forced the director to shelve his passion project to focus on more commercial films. The Godfather Part III and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Megapolis uses the context of the fall of Rome to imagine the bleak future of the United States as an optimistic architect envisions a utopian new world with a corrupt politician who prefers to lead a totalitarian dystopia. Starring Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito Megapolis' expanding ensemble promises to be the biggest experimental arthouse film ever made. Since no studio in their right mind could finance such an expensive creative risk, Coppola had to fund the film's budget out of his own pocket. Well, how much did he spend?
Francis Ford Coppola spent $120 million to make Megapolis
Coppola Productions Sold Part of Winery Business to Fund Self
Coppola financed the production himself Megapolis It is close to 120 million dollars. The Apocalypse Now director has been one of California's top winemakers since the 2010s. His eponymous brand is one of the best-selling premium wine producers in America, so the business is worth a pretty penny – and it sells for a pretty penny. in 2021 Coppola sold part of his winery business in a major deal valued at around $500 million. (via Independent) to give him the $120 million lump sum he needed to spend on the film Megapolis.
By selling his business for 500 million dollars, Coppola was able to spend $120 million Megapolis without the risk of bankruptcy. He was sure he could lose everything he had spent. According to the director, the size of the contract means that he “good” even if it is Megapolis doesn't make money. Selling the winery for half a billion dollars meant that Coppola could afford it comfortably Megapolis With the budget required to realize his vision and not depend on future profits to save him from bankruptcy.
Francis Ford Coppola spent another 15-20 million dollars on marketing
Part of Coppola's deal with Lionsgate required him to cover his own marketing costs.
Coppola's Megapolis the costs didn't end with the $120 million it spent on production; it also had to cover marketing costs. Coppola originally hoped to secure a distribution deal that would require the distributor to cover the marketing costs, but nearly every distributor in Hollywood balked at the prospect. When he had trouble finding a distributor to agree to these terms, Coppola broke his demands. This eventually led him to a distribution deal at Lionsgate, but that deal came with some contingencies.
Agreed to a distribution deal for Lionsgate
Megapolis
however, the contract required Coppola to pay for a vigorous marketing campaign of between $15 and $20 million.
Agreed to a distribution deal for Lionsgate Megapolishowever, the contract required Coppola to pay for a heavy marketing campaign, which cost between $15 and $20 million. The Hollywood Reporter). Coppola's deal with Lionsgate requires the studio to release the film in more than 1,500 theaters. all over the world. Whether enough moviegoers will show up in those 1,500 theaters to make the film profitable is another story — but Coppola should be fine either way.
What Francis Ford Coppola's $135 million spend on Megapolis means for the box office
This likely means that the film does not need to make back its budget to be considered a success.
Coppola's hefty investment of $135 million (or more) doesn't mean much Megapolischeckout. Usually, a movie with that much money behind it needs to make 2.5 times that amount ($337.5 million) to be successful. But studio support Megapolis not on the hook for that $135 million; Lionsgate probably got the rights for less. Coppola is solely responsible for that $135 million, and he's not looking for a return on his investment. If Lionsgate refunds the purchase price Megapolis it will be black in theaters.
When a major studio spends $120 million on a movie, they're hoping to make a profit because they're not in it for the art; they are there to earn money. But Coppola is the rare film investor who is attracted to film for art's sake. He funded it Megapolis With $120 million, he could lose. As long as the film is out there and in front of audiences, Coppola is happy.
Source: The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter