Megalopolis, the ambitious epic from Francis Ford Coppola, premiered last year with potentially too much plot and too little fanfare. Now, though, it seems another drama took place behind the scenes.
New footage exclusively shared by The Film Stage teases scenes from Megadoc, the upcoming documentary focused on the making of Megalopolis. The minute and a half clip shows actor Shia LaBeouf arguing with the film’s director Francis Ford Coppola regarding the direction of a scene.
“I still need something on my cards to get me here,” the video starts off with Shia walking over to a small desk, “I actually want to be here.” Coppola, the acclaimed director behind The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, replies “you can do it the way you want.”
“Okay, fine,” replies LaBeouf, “I know what you want.” The tension between the two creatives may have impacted others on set, too, with Jon Voight walking past the camera as LaBeouf and Coppola bicker in the background, addressing the audience with the comically-timed line “say a prayer.”
Later, LaBeouf and Coppola are seen arguing again about the blocking of a scene. Coppola interrupts the beginning of a take with a shrug and a frustrated “whatever.” After a brief back and forth, Coppola asks “who is the director who came in here and started to stage the scene?”
“You’re obviously the director,” LaBeouf responds. Coppola replies “but I’m not having a chance to [direct .]” LaBeouf seemingly gives in to the director’s wishes, but not before making a last remark, “we’re just sketching now to show you something so you can say no…” The clip ends with Coppola replying, “ok, I’m happy to do that.”
Workplace animosity aside, both LaBeouf and Coppola have been marred by semi-recent scandal. Coppola, notably, was accused of inappropriate conduct on set of Megalopolis and was seen attempting to kiss topless background extras in a nightclub scene. LaBeouf, too, has a less-than-stellar reputation of being difficult to work with, amongst other things. Both Olivia Wilde and Alec Baldwin have had public feuds with their fellow actor over on-set difficulties.
