‘Megalopolis’: Lionsgate pulls trailer featuring fake movie critic quotes; issues apology

Lionsgate is recalling the latest trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s epic ‘Megalopolis’ after it included numerous fake quotes from renowned film critics.

‘We are immediately pulling the trailer for Megalopolis,’ a Lionsgate spokesperson told Variety.

‘We sincerely apologize to the critics, Francis Ford Coppola, and American Zoetrope for this serious error in our vetting process. We messed up, and we’re sorry,’ the spokesperson added.

Released on August 21, the trailer aimed to position Coppola’s new film as a timeless work of art, akin to his previous classics ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’. It featured quotes attributed to critics like Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert that were actually from reviews of other Coppola films.

One quote attributed to Kael claimed that ‘The Godfather’ was ‘diminished by its artsiness,’ though Kael praised the film and never used this phrase in her March 1972 New Yorker review.

Ebert’s quote about Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ being ‘a triumph of style over substance’ was also fabricated. Similarly, quotes from Rex Reed and Vincent Canby regarding ‘Apocalypse Now’ were not from their actual reviews.

‘Megalopolis’ has been in development for decades and received mixed reviews when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Recently, the film has faced additional scrutiny over alleged misconduct on set, following leaked videos of Coppola hugging and kissing extras during a club scene. Representatives have not yet commented on the videos.

The film is scheduled to have its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, before its theatrical release on September 27.

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