Get ready, cinema fans, because Francis Ford Coppola’s kino 2024 filmMegalopolisis taking on a new life in the form of a graphic novel. Despite the tumultuous reception from its debut last year, Coppola’s opus is getting a new format to tell its story thanks to an unexpected new deal.
In an exclusive with theHollywood Reporter, Abrams Books revealed that it had received director Francis Ford Coppola’s blessing tocreate a graphic novel adaptationof his latest film,Megalopolis. Writer Chris Ryall is penning the adaptation and Jacob Phillips (That Texas Blood,Newburn) is taking on art duties.
Rather than a direct adaptation, the book is described as a “sibling” by Coppola in a statement. The renowned directoralso said that the graphic novel is inspired byMegalopolis, but “it didn’t necessarily have to be limited by it”. Ryall saidthat the graphic novelwould both honor and expand on the original film.
Megalopolis Gets a Second Chance as a Graphic Novel
What Can Readers Expect from This New Take on Coppola’s Most Controversial Story?
While Francis Ford Coppola is known for classic filmssuch asThe GodfatherandApocalypse Now, he had been working on a project quite close to his heart. In 2024, Ford finally got to share his vision in the form of Megalopolis, an epic, sci-fi drama film with an incredibly stacked cast. The film followed a visionary architect as he dreams of revitalizing the world, only to clash with a corrupt mayor. WhileMegalopolisdebuted at Cannes and received a seven-minute standing ovation, its wider reception was much less favorable, receiving middling reviews and grossing only $14 million dollars worldwide.
It does seem a little wild thatMegalopolisis coming back as a graphic novel, but it’s not that hard to believe. After all, this was a passion project for Coppola, and even though his realm is cinema, that doesn’t mean he’s completely done with the idea just because the film is over. If anything, it seems like he thinks there’s much more to say about the story, and he’s working with the people he best believes can do this project justice. If nothing else,fans are about to get a very differentMegalopolisexperiencewith this new graphic novel.
MegalopolisIsn’t Repeating the Past, It’s Making Something New
Fans Should Be Open to Another Chance onMegalopolis
Sure, the movie wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and a direct adaption might have been the wrong way to bring Megalopolis to comics. But the creative team involved are assuring fans that this isn’t the same story, even if there are similarities. Who knows? The changes here might work out in the graphic novel’s favor and end up creating an even better story. Whether someone loved, hated, or never even saw Megalopolis, it’s worth giving this new adaptation a try. If nothing else, it’s certain to be just as wild as the Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisfilm.
Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novelis available this October from Abrams Books.
