Francis Ford Coppola has filed a libel lawsuit against Variety after the Hollywood trade publication published an article alleging inappropriate conduct by the director towards female extras on the set of his forthcoming film, Megalopolis.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 11, names Variety and its executive editors Tatiana Siegel and Brent Lang.
Siegel and Lang are credited with the byline for the article, which was originally published on July 26, 2024, and remains available on Variety’s website.
In the lawsuit, Coppola, 85, asserts that Variety was aware that the allegations against him were “false” and were intended to “damage Coppola’s reputation and inflict severe emotional distress.”
He claims that “harm has been caused” and is seeking damages of at least $15 million, along with a jury trial.
A representative for Coppola provided a statement on Wednesday night, which read: “Nothing in my 60+ years career can equal the painstakingly difficult, yet artistically triumphant journey of bringing Megalopolis to the screen.
It was a collaboration of hundreds of artists, from extras to box office stars, to whom I consistently displayed the utmost respect and my deepest gratitude.”
The statement continued: “To see our collective efforts tainted by false, reckless, and irresponsible reporting is devastating.
No publication, especially a legacy industry outlet, should be enabled to use surreptitious video and unnamed sources in pursuit of their own financial gain.
While I have no intention of litigating this in the media, I will vigorously defend my reputation and trust in the courts to hold them accountable.”
The Variety article at the center of Coppola’s lawsuit cited anonymous sources who alleged that the director attempted to kiss female extras in a nightclub scene, describing them as “topless” or “scantily clad.”
The article also reported that, after multiple takes, Coppola allegedly grabbed a microphone and said, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
The lawsuit also criticizes the Variety article for including video footage reportedly from the scene in question, where Coppola appears to kiss and dance with female extras while filming.
Siegel and Lang stated that the video supported claims that Coppola was attempting to kiss extras, which were first reported by The Guardian on May 14.
Background actress Rayna Menz, featured in the footage, denied the allegations against Coppola in an Instagram message.
Menz told Variety’s sister publication Deadline that the director “was nothing but professional, a gentleman, he was like this cute Italian grandfather, running around the set.”
Coppola’s attorneys stated in the court filings that he had provided evidence to Variety before filing the lawsuit, demonstrating that the allegations were false.
He requested a retraction, but Variety refused and reaffirmed the allegations, which they argue highlights the publication’s malice.
To clear his name and obtain a public acknowledgment of the falsehood of Variety’s claims, Coppola initiated the lawsuit.
Megalopolis is a sci-fi epic featuring Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, and DB Sweeney.
The film was screened on September 9 at the Toronto International Film Festival with Coppola and the stars in attendance. It is scheduled for release on September 27.
