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Lionsgate Recalls Trailer for ‘Megalopolis’ After Fabricating Critics' Quotes

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Lionsgate Recalls Trailer Megalopolis Quotes

Business Honor
22 August, 2024

Lionsgate has publicly apologized to the involved critics, Coppola, and American Zoetrope, acknowledging the mishap

Lionsgate has issued a recall for the trailer of Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming film, Megalopolis, following the discovery of fabricated quotes attributed to critics. The studio announced the recall on Wednesday, citing a significant error in their vetting process.

The trailer, which was released earlier in the day, featured quotes purportedly from renowned critics such as Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert. However, these quotes did not appear in the critics’ actual reviews. For instance, the trailer misattributed a critique to Kael, claiming she described The Godfather as “diminished by its artsiness,” despite her well-documented praise for the film. Similarly, Ebert’s supposed critique of Bram Stoker’s Dracula as “a triumph of style over substance” was fabricated, as were quotes attributed to Rex Reed and Vincent Canby about Apocalypse Now. The misleading quotes seemed intended to underscore the critical controversy surrounding Megalopolis. The film, a $120 million self-financed epic, has already generated mixed reviews following its Cannes Film Festival debut and has faced additional scrutiny over alleged on-set misconduct involving Coppola.

Lionsgate has publicly apologized to the involved critics, Coppola, and American Zoetrope, acknowledging the mishap and expressing regret for the oversight. The studio's statement emphasized their commitment to correcting the mistake and ensuring such errors do not recur. Megalopolis will next appear at the Toronto International Film Festival before its official theater release.