Even though Francis Ford Coppola is indisputably one of the most iconic directors of the 20th century, his long-standing passion projectMegalopolisactually earned him a Worst Director award in 2024. While Coppola was responsible forclassics likeThe GodfatherandApocalypse Now, his career was also filled with several divisive flops and unfortunate missteps. As a film that Coppola first conceived back in 1977, expectations for the long-anticipated release ofMegalopoliswere sky high, and the movie has divided film fans and sparked debate over its merits.
It’s true that several ofCoppola’s moviesare commonly ranked among the best films of all time, but several box office flops have meant he no longer has the same clout he did back in the 1970s. Coppola actually spent years trying to get the financial backing forMegalopolisbeforespending $120 million of his own moneyto get the movie made. While this was a film Coppola clearly had enough faith in to invest such an extraordinary amount into its production, the results were mixed, andMegalopolisended up nominated in five categories at the infamous Golden Raspberry Awards.
Francis Ford Coppola Won Worst Director For Megalopolis
The Five-Time Oscar Winner Became A Worst Director Recipient In 2024
Megalopoliswas the subject of a lot of fanfare even before the movie was released, with its unusual production history and bloated budget building hype among film lovers. As a filmmaker with a track record for both the greatest movies of all time, likeThe Godfather Part II, as well as embarrassing comedies, such asJackstarring Robin Williams, it felt like things could go either way forMegalopolis. The results speak for themselves, asMegalopolisnot only won Worst Director at the Razzies but was also nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Screen Combo.
However, Coppola himself was not offended by the accolade and instead took toInstagramto voice his opinion on the topic. Coppola stated, “I am thrilled to accept the Razzie award” during a time “when so few have the courage to go against the prevailing trends of contemporary moviemaking.” As a filmmaker who’s never been afraid to put his all behind his creative endeavors, even thoughMegalopoliswas mocked and ridiculed by the Razzies, Coppola was never embarrassed by his film and remains proud of it as a misunderstood piece of cinema.
What Went Wrong With Megalopolis
Even Its Supporters Will Admit Megalopolis Was Far From Perfect
On paper,Megalopolishas a lot going for it, as it boasts an all-star cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf, just to name a few. With an accomplished director at the helm and serious passion pushing the project into production, there was a world in whichMegalopolisconfounded all expectations and was a major success. However, despite being one of the most ambitious and highly anticipated films of 2024,a lot went wrong withMegalopolis.
As an epic sci-fi parable that blends elements of Ancient Rome with a futuristic imagining of New York,Megalopolissuffered from a thematic overload, an often incoherent narrative, and an underdeveloped sense of purpose. While Coppola had reportedly been developing his script for decades, the result lacked depth and came across as a surface-level critique of modernity that thought it was a lot smarter than it actually was. While there were some truly awe-inspiring sequences inMegalopolisthat hint at Coppola’s former greatness, it was also just far too self-indulgent to connect with mainstream viewers.
Coppola Isn’t The Only Movie Great To Win A Razzie
Plenty Of Cinema Legends Have Also Earned Razzie Awards
The Razzies are a satirical parody of award shows that attempts to turn the format on its head and instead offer accolades to the worst films, actors, and directors of that year. While many might see Coppola’s Worst Director win forMegalopolisas definitive proof of the film’s poor quality,plenty of movie greats and great movies have also been the recipients of Razzie Awardsover the years.
In the history of the Razzies, one name stands supreme above them all, and that’s Sylvester Stallone.
Whether it was Shelley Duvall earning a since-retracted nomination forThe Shiningor Sandra Bullock’s famously winning a Razzie and an Oscar over the same weekend, the history of the awards show was almost as divisive asMegalopolisitself. Michael Cimino’sHeaven’s Gatewas a prime example of a misunderstood film earning the Worst Director award, only to later be hailed as an underappreciated classic. However, in the history of the Razzies, one name stands supreme above them all, and that’s Sylvester Stallone, who has Coppola beat with 12 wins in total.
