In 2024, Francis Ford Coppola's film Megalopolis sparked intense debate and discussion, emerging as one of the year's most polarizing cinematic experiences. Since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, the film has garnered both fervent praise and sharp criticism. Now, Coppola is set to expand the universe of Megalopolis into a new medium: a graphic novel.
Titled Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel, the book is slated for release in October by Abrams ComicArts, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The graphic novel will be penned by Chris Ryall, renowned for his adaptations of works by Stephen King, Harlan Ellison, and Clive Barker. The illustrations will be crafted by Jacob Phillips, known for his contributions to Newburn and That Texas Blood.
“I was pleased to put the idea of a graphic novel in the competent hands of Chris Ryall with the idea that, although it was inspired by my film Megalopolis, it didn’t necessarily have to be limited by it. I hoped the graphic novel would take its own flight, with its own artists and writer so that it would be a sibling of the film, rather than just an echo,” Coppola stated in an interview with the outlet.
He further elaborated, “That’s what I feel Chris, Jacob Phillips, and the team at Abrams ComicArts have accomplished. It confirms my feeling that art can never be constrained, but rather always a parallel expression, and part of the bounty we can make available to our patrons, audiences, and readers.”
Megalopolis tells the story of a visionary architect, portrayed by Adam Driver, who is determined to construct a utopian city. His ambitious project pits him against the city's mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito, who is intent on thwarting his plans to transform New Rome into Megalopolis. This narrative unfolds as a modern-day Roman fable.
While the film is not currently available for streaming, it can be rented or purchased from various movie platforms.
