The first official trailer for MEGADOC has just dropped, taking fans on an exclusive behind-the-scenes ride through Francis Ford Coppola’s monumental labor of love, Megalopolis. Directed by Mike Figgis, this documentary offers a raw, fly-on-the-wall glimpse at Coppola’s decades-long obsession to realize his self-financed $120 million sci-fi epic. MEGADOC is being described as a modern-day Hearts of Darkness, chronicling the triumphs, struggles, and sheer audacity of one of cinema’s greatest auteurs as he pours his fortune and creative spirit into this sprawling vision.
The trailer showcases not only the vast scale of the production—massive sets, thousands of extras, complex political allegories—but also the personal and artistic challenges Coppola faces at 85 years old. Candid footage captures Coppola guiding actors like Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf through unconventional rehearsals that blend playfulness with intense improvisation. The film reveals Coppola’s belief that filmmaking is “play,” highlighting how his fearless approach shapes Megalopolis into a unique cinematic experiment.
What the Trailer Teaches Us About Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis
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A Passion Project Decades in the Making: Coppola’s vision dates back to the 1980s, aiming to draw parallels between the fall of ancient Rome and modern societal decay, set in a reimagined New York City called “New Rome”.
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Self-Financed and High Stakes: Coppola invested his own $120 million fortune into the film, marking it as a bold gamble and a deeply personal statement.
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Unfiltered Access: MEGADOC is packed with archival footage, cast interviews, and unvarnished moments revealing the physical and emotional toll of such a grand production.
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Philosophical and Political Weight: The documentary explores the film’s themes—urban renewal, political intrigue, societal collapse—mirrored in Coppola’s own battles with Hollywood and his artistic legacy.
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Not Just a Film, but an Experience: The trailer hints at epic scenes—chariot races, political rallies, grand confrontations—that echo the scale of Coppola’s earlier epics, yet created with fresh, tangible effects rather than CGI.
How and Where to Watch MEGADOC?
MEGADOC already premiered at the 2025 Venice and Telluride Film Festivals to critical intrigue and will see a limited theatrical release starting September 19, 2025. Distributed by Utopia, the documentary promises to be a must-watch for cinephiles, Coppola fans, and anyone fascinated by the intimate struggles behind legendary filmmaking.
For those curious about the saga behind Megalopolis, this trailer and upcoming documentary scrub away the Hollywood gloss and give viewers an immersive portrait of a director battling time, technology, and creative risk to chase a singular vision—one last epic gamble from a master filmmaker.
