How much money Francis Ford Coppola spent to make Megalopolis

Francis Ford Coppola famously self-financed the production of his ambitious sci-fi epic Megalopolis – But how much of his own money did he spend on the film? Coppola has been developing Megalopolis Since the 1970s, so this movie is half a century in the making. Not only did Coppola have to wait for visual effects technology to catch up to his lofty vision; A string of box office bombs forced the director to put his passion project on hold to focus on more commercial movies like The Godfather Part III And Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Megalopolis Uses the context of the fall of Rome to imagine a dark future for the United States as an optimistic architect envisioning a utopian new world clashes with a corrupt politician who would rather lead a totalitarian dystopia. Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito lead Megalopolis‘ sprawling ensemble cast in what promises to be the biggest experimental arthouse film ever made. Since no studio in their right mind would finance such an expensive creative risk, Coppola had to fund the film’s budget from his own pocket. Well, how much did he spend?

Francis Ford Coppola spent $120 million to make Megalopolis

Coppola sold part of his winery business to self-finance the production

Coppola self-financed the production of Megalopolis to the amount of $120 million. The Apocalypse now Director has been one of California’s top wine producers since the 2010s. His self-titled brand is one of the top-selling producers of premium wine in America, so the business is worth a pretty penny – and it sold for a pretty penny. in 2021, Coppola sold part of his winery business in a massive deal estimated to be worth around $500 million (via The Independent) to give him the $120 million disposable income he needs to spend on filming Megalopolis.

By selling $500 million of his own business, Coppola was able to spend $120 million on Megalopolis Without risking bankruptcy. He assured that he could afford to lose what he had spent. According to the director, the size of the deal means he will be “Nice“Even if Megalopolis Does not make money. Selling half a billion dollars worth of his winery meant that Coppola could comfortably deliver Megalopolis With the budget required to bring his vision to life and not depend on the subsequent profits to save him from going broke.

Francis Ford Coppola spent another $15-20 million on marketing

Part of Coppola’s deal with Lionsgate required him to cover his own marketing costs

Coppola Megalopolis Spending did not stop with the $120 million he spent on the production; He has to cover the marketing costs, too. Coppola initially hoped to secure a distribution deal that required the distributor to cover marketing expenses, but nearly every distributor in Hollywood balked at the prospect. As he struggled to find a distributor to agree to the terms, Coppola compromised his demands. This eventually landed him a distribution deal in Lionsgate, but the deal came with several contingencies.

Lionsgate agreed to a distribution deal for MegalopolisBut the deal stipulated that Coppola had to pay for a robust marketing campaign worth somewhere between $15 and $20 million (via The Hollywood Reporter). Coppola’s deal with Lionsgate requires the studio to release the movie in more than 1,500 theaters Around the world. Whether enough moviegoers will show up to the 1,500 theaters for the movie to turn a profit is another story — but Coppola should be okay.

What Francis Ford Coppola is spending $135 million on Megalopolis means for the box office

It’s likely that the movie doesn’t have to recoup its budget to be considered a success

Coppola’s huge investment of $135 million (or more) doesn’t mean that much for MegalopolisBox office. Usually, a movie with that much money behind it would need to make 2.5 times that ($337.5 million) to be considered a success. But the studio backing Megalopolis is not on the hook for that $135 million; Lionsgate probably got the rights for much cheaper. Only Coppola is responsible for the $135 million, and he is not looking for a return on his investment. If Lionsgate makes back the fee it paid to receive Megalopolis In theaters, it will be in black.

When a major studio pumps $120 million into the production of a movie, they hope to make a profit, because they’re not in it for the sake of the art; They are in it to make money. But Coppola is a rare movie investor who is in it for the sake of the art. He finances Megalopolis With $120 million he can afford to lose. As long as the movie is out there and getting in front of audiences, Coppola is happy.

Source: The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter