Adam Driver Reveals the ‘Best Direction’ He Ever Got Was in a Razzie-Winning Flop

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Although Francis Ford Coppola’s 2024 film, unnamed, didn’t perform well at the box office, one of its actors claims that the direction he received during the making of this sci-fi masterpiece was the best he had ever experienced on set. On April 26th, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens paid homage to Coppola as he was honored with AFI’s 50th Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.

In the given text, Driver referred to Coppola as one of his “cinema idols” and discussed their collaboration on a certain project. Driver played the role of Cesar Catilina in this film that Coppola financed himself after initially conceiving the idea in 1983. The film was directed by Coppola, known for directing “The Godfather.

The individual referred to Coppola as a “theater director who transformed filmmaking and cinema, influencing both its perception and creation.” He went on to say, “His films serve as benchmarks for many, setting the standard by which others are judged, and at the very least, demonstrating the potential of the medium, such as, in my view, Megalopolis.

Megalopolis Did Not Land With Audiences

Besides Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, and Jon Voight, the film also featured other notable actors. However, despite this stellar cast, the movie unfortunately failed to impress at the box office, with a budget of approximately $120 million.

Even though the box office numbers weren’t as expected, Driver stated during the filming of Megalopolis that he received “the best direction I ever heard” on the first day. He explained that Coppola said, “We’re not pushing ourselves hard enough.

Driver also praised Coppola for “investing $120 million into a work of art without allowing monetary concerns to influence the film’s content.” He stated, “I was present during that time, and there was no discussion about making it more commercially viable.”

“Living by one’s principles is admirable,” he continued. “In an era when the significance of the arts is often undermined, and our industry is under scrutiny, success is often measured solely by a film’s box office earnings.”

“I find inspiration in figures like Francis who live according to their beliefs, even when making bold decisions, all for the sake of progressing the medium,” he concluded.

Megalopolis (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score IMDb Rating
45% 35% 4.7/10

Driver: Coppola More than Deserves the Life Achievement Award

The driver went on to say, “Francis used $120 million to make a unique statement about what he believed movies should become, and I think that’s really impressive. This kind of bold move will undoubtedly resonate in his films, through history, and here in this room. I understand you may have mixed feelings about honoring Francis, but I join everyone else in saying, you richly deserve this moment. I want to take a moment to congratulate you on everything you’ve accomplished, and I feel privileged to be here to honor you, your generosity, and your courage.

The Oscar-winning Director is Now a “Razzie” Winner

In a less than prestigious award ceremony famously known as the “Razzies,” director of Megalopolis was nominated in the Worst Director category. He was alongside S.J. Clarkson (Madame Web), Todd Phillips, Eli Roth (Borderlands), and Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted) for this less-than-desirable title.

Coppola humbly received the Razzie award on his account, expressing, “I’m delighted to win the Razzie awards in several crucial categories for @megalopolisfilm. It’s also a unique honor to be nominated as the worst director, worst screenplay, and worst picture at a time when so few have the guts to challenge the mainstream movie-making trends!

So far, Megalopolis does not seem to be available on streaming in the U.S.

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2025-04-27 23:51