Francis Ford Coppola is known for taking risks. He famously cast the controversial Marlon Brando in “The Godfather,” shot “Apocalypse Now” in Vietnam amidst conflict, and focused on the story of Preston Tucker, an ambitious automaker who ultimately failed.

Throughout his career, Coppola has consistently prioritized his artistic vision, leading to outcomes that include both commercial failures and monumental successes, earning him five Academy Awards in the process.

With his latest venture, “Megalopolis,” set to debut in North America on Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s no surprise that at 85, Coppola is again choosing to forge his own path. To fund this expansive allegorical narrative centered on urban avarice, he has invested $120 million from his thriving Napa Valley winery into the project.

However, Coppola seems unfazed by any potential backlash. Reflecting on his journey, he shared with GQ that studio executives responded to his ambitious projects much like they did when he came to them with “Apocalypse Now” after winning five Oscars. “I own ‘Apocalypse Now,’” he remarked. “You know why? Because no one else wanted it.”

Here’s what you should know about Coppola’s new cinematic work:

What is the story behind Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’?

“Megalopolis” marks a significant shift for Coppola, whose previous films were deeply tied to historical contexts. This time, he steps into a futuristic science-fiction realm while drawing inspiration from ancient history.

The film stars Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, an idealistic architect with the ability to manipulate time, who aims to reconstruct a city that resembles New York after a tragic event leaves it in ruins. However, his visionary plans meet opposition from the corrupt mayor Franklyn Cicero (played by Giancarlo Esposito), who prefers to maintain the deteriorating status quo of the city. This conflict is further complicated by Cicero’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), who finds herself caught in the middle of their clash.

Coppola has been developing the script for an impressive forty years, drawing parallels to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, which is reflected in the name of Driver’s character.

Who are the cast members in Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’?

In addition to Driver and Esposito, the main cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a television host known as Wow Platinum, Shia LaBeouf as Cesar Catilina’s cousin Clodio Pulcher, and Jon Voight as Cesar’s uncle and bank executive, Hamilton Crassus III.

Other significant cast members include Laurence Fishburne, who began his career at just 14 in “Apocalypse Now,” contributing as both the narrator and Catalina’s driver. Additionally, Coppola’s sister, Talia Shire, known for her role as Rocky Balboa’s wife in the “Rocky” films, plays Catalina’s mother, while Jason Schwartzman portrays a member of Esposito’s corrupt inner circle.

When and where can I watch Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’?

The journey for “Megalopolis” to reach theaters has not been smooth. After its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May received mixed feedback, Lionsgate acquired it a month later for distribution.

The film is scheduled for IMAX screenings on September 23, followed by a wider release in traditional theaters on September 27.

What do critics think of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’?

Critics at Cannes had varied responses to “Megalopolis.” For instance, Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair noted that while certain cinephiles might appreciate the “Godfather” director’s long-anticipated epic, many viewers might find themselves confused.

On the other hand, David Fear from Rolling Stone labeled the film “truly epic,” asserting that as long as there are audiences who appreciate movies that engage thoughtfully with history, there will be a place for Coppola’s work.

What are the allegations against Francis Ford Coppola regarding ‘Megalopolis’?

In May, The Guardian published a report alleging that Coppola exhibited “old-school” behavior on the set of “Megalopolis.” This included incidents during a two-day nightclub scene shoot where he reportedly pulled actresses onto his lap while they were half-dressed and kissed them.

In June, Francis Ford Coppola responded to allegations in a lengthy statement to the New York Times, claiming he was “too shy” to engage in the accused behavior. He also mentioned that one of the women involved was someone he had known “since she was 9.”

In July, Variety released footage of Coppola on the film set, where he attempted to kiss several extras. While some crew members defended the set’s safety, others remarked that Coppola had significant authority due to being the project’s financier.

What sparked the controversy surrounding the ‘Megalopolis’ trailer?

In August, Lionsgate unveiled the first official trailer for “Megalopolis,” but they retracted it just a few hours later.

What went wrong? The trailer began with a sequence of allegedly real quotes from movie critics who had harshly criticized Coppola’s works like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” which are now considered cinematic masterpieces. This suggested that any current critiques of “Megalopolis” were misplaced.

However, the quotes attributed to established critics, including the legendary Pauline Kael from The New Yorker, were fabricated. Lionsgate later issued an apology stating, “We genuinely apologize to the involved critics, Francis Ford Coppola, and (his production company) American Zoetrope for this unacceptable mistake in our vetting process. We messed up. We are truly sorry.” The updated trailer is available on YouTube.