Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has filed a $15 million defamation lawsuit against entertainment publication Variety, accusing it of publishing “false and malicious” claims about his behavior on the set of his upcoming film Megalopolis.
Allegations and Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, centers around a July 26 article that alleged Coppola, 85, acted inappropriately toward young female extras during a nightclub scene filmed in Atlanta in February 2023. The article, written by reporters Brent Lang and Tatiana Siegel, cited anonymous sources and included behind-the-scenes video clips from the production.
Coppola’s legal team claims the report was built on “jealous and deliberately misleading” accounts from unnamed individuals. “This reporting is reckless and irresponsible,” Coppola said in a statement. “No reputable publication should use anonymous sources and covert videos for financial gain.”
A Director Under Scrutiny
The article highlighted concerns over a lack of oversight on the Megalopolis set, noting that Coppola self-financed the ambitious sci-fi epic, thereby bypassing traditional studio controls.
Variety’s video appeared to show Coppola attempting to kiss extras, which sparked outrage and debate across the industry. However, several cast and crew members, including extras, have since spoken out in his defense.
Rayna Menz, one of the women shown in the video, posted on Instagram: “None of the allegations about @francisfordcoppola are true. This was a closed set where phones were banned for safety. It was an honor to work with him.”
Variety’s Response
Variety’s parent company, PMC, has stood by its journalists. “While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, we fully support our reporters and their work,” a spokesperson said.
Coppola’s attorneys claim the filmmaker provided evidence disproving the allegations and requested a retraction before filing the lawsuit. Variety declined and continued to repeat the claims, which the suit describes as malicious and harmful.
A Legal Fight to Restore Reputation
The complaint asserts that Variety’s actions were intended to damage Coppola’s reputation and included “willful disregard” for his rights. Coppola is not only seeking $15 million in damages but also aims to publicly clear his name ahead of Megalopolis’ theatrical release in two weeks.
The lawsuit may set a precedent for how media outlets handle anonymous accusations and behind-the-scenes content from Hollywood productions.