Francis Ford Coppola has filed a whopping libel lawsuit towards Selection journal and two of the publication’s government editors, after a story ran in July alleging that the director behaved inappropriately on the set of Megalopolis, his newest movie set to hit theatres.
In scathing courtroom paperwork, filed with the Los Angeles Superior Courtroom Tuesday and obtained by Deadline, Coppola’s attorneys stated partly that he “believes that Defendants’ libel.… was made with information of falsity or with reckless disregard of the reality.”
The lawsuit contends that the defendants have been “jealous and resentful,” main them to publish “false and defamatory statements.”
They’re demanding US$15 million (greater than C$20 million) plus punitive damages. Coppola has additionally requested for a jury trial.
“Nothing in my 60+ years profession can equal the painstakingly troublesome, but artistically triumphant journey of bringing Megalopolis to the display. It was a collaboration of lots of of artists, from extras to field workplace stars, to whom I persistently displayed the utmost respect and my deepest gratitude,” Coppola stated in a assertion Wednesday night time, in accordance with TheWrap.
“To see our collective efforts tainted by false, reckless and irresponsible reporting is devastating. No publication, particularly a legacy trade outlet, needs to be enabled to make use of surreptitious video and unnamed sources in pursuit of their very own monetary achieve,” the assertion continued.
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“Whereas I’ve no intention of litigating this within the media, I’ll vigorously defend my popularity and have belief within the courts to carry them accountable.”
DB Sweeney, Grace Vanderwaal, Adam Driver, Francis Ford Coppola, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Giancarlo Esposito attend the premiere of “Megalopolis” throughout TIFF at Roy Thomson Corridor on September 09, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
Robert Okine/Getty Photographs for Lionsgate
In its story, Selection reported that Coppola inappropriately hugged, kissed and touched extras whereas capturing a celebration scene for the movie, saying he acted with “impunity” on set. Selection’s report adopted a narrative from the Guardian, which alleged the Oscar winner “tried to kiss among the topless and scantily clad feminine extras.”
After the report, Coppola demanded a correction and retraction from Selection, which declined to take action, in accordance with the grievance.
The swimsuit goes on to problem allegations that Coppola ruined scenes by putting himself in view of the cameras.
“The true info are that there have been 4 cameras capturing throughout the above-referenced scene and three of the cameras have been cellular, with the crew usually altering positions,” the grievance states. “Due to this fact, as a result of a number of digicam angles, at totally different instances, members of the crew and Coppola have been in among the pictures. That was anticipated and unavoidable. That’s one motive why pictures are edited.”
The lawsuit follows a separate lawsuit filed on Monday by a Megalopolis additional, who detailed claims on sexual harassment towards the director.
Lauren Pagone, an additional within the disputed social gathering scene, alleged that Coppola kissed her on the cheek and touched her with out consent, regardless of being informed that there can be no sexual content material within the pictures. She additionally claimed the scene was with out an intimacy coordinator, and he or she felt she didn’t have somebody with whom to debate her discomfort.
Megalopolis set to be launched in roughly two weeks.
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