Did Someone Put a Hit Out on Francis Ford Coppola’s Career?

Hollywood in 2024 is nearly devoid of risk takers.

We see reboots, remakes, sequels and re-imaginings. Original stories are in short supply, and stars cling to existing IPs rather than breaking new ground.

Just ask Robert Downey, Jr., who will make north of $80 million to play Victor Von Doom in two “Avengers” films.

And then there’s Francis Ford Coppola and Kevin Costner.

The living legends have done more than bring bold, original stories to theaters in 2024. They’ve sunk millions of their own money into their respective ventures – “Megalopolis” and “Horizon: An American Saga.”

So why didn’t the press cheer these artists on?

In Coppola’s case, journalists have pounced on several narratives trying to sink his film before it even reaches theaters.

“Megalopolis” is way over budget, we heard. Coppola’s on-set behavior proved problematic, others cried. And, most recently, video emerged suggesting the director had behaved inappropriately with an extra on the film. Variety posted the exclusive footage.

It’s enough to sink his most ambitious project to date before its Sept. 27 release date.

Except the extra shown in one of the videos says it’s a “cheap fake.”

“[Coppola] did nothing to make me or for that matter anyone on set feel uncomfortable,” [Rayna] Menz told Deadline. “I felt disgusted, I was blindsided by it because it was a closed set. That someone had video of that is just ridiculous and super unprofessional. It’s gross because he only ever spoke about how wonderful his wife is. His wife was on set with us, most days. It feels gross, seeing that video and they way they were trying to convey a message. Just gross.”

What’s going on? Variety has not updated its original reporting as of yet.

Even dicier? Deadline and Variety are both owned by Penske Media Corporation, and the Deadline article takes shots at its sister publication.

It gets even more weird.

Why would Coppola behave in such a terrible fashion on a project that’s as risky as any film in ages? He’s been celebrated in Hollywood for decades and this is the first time we’re hearing about his allegedly inappropriate actions on set involving women.

Yes, his passions boiled over during the making of “Apocalypse Now.” That was an artist on the edge, a young man overwhelmed by chaotic weather, the heart attack suffered by co-star Martin Sheen and much more. It’s not a lecherous soul eager to exploit his crew.

Heck, his wife Eleanor Coppola directed “Heart of Darkness,” the powerful making-of documentary behind “Apocalypse Now.”

Why do some salacious stories come and go with little new information or follow-up reportage? It’s similar to May accusations that superstar Dwayne Johnson proved a nightmare on the set of the upcoming “Red One.”

Some of the allegations leveled against Coppola could still be true. If they’re overblown, it’s clear some industry types are eager to sabotage either “Megalopolis,” the director’s career or both.

Note: An earlier version of this story suggested the Instagram post in question was no longer visible. That isn’t the case.