Coppola's Megalopolis to Become Graphic Novel: 'A Sibling, Not Just an Echo'

In 2024, no film stirred as much controversy and conversation as Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. This audacious, unconventional, and polarizing epic captured headlines following its debut at the previous year's Cannes Film Festival, sparking a whirlwind of praise and criticism throughout the year. Now, the visionary director is set to reimagine this story in a new medium: a graphic novel.

Titled Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel, this reinterpretation will be published by Abrams ComicArts in October, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The graphic novel is penned by Chris Ryall, renowned for his adaptations of works by genre giants like Stephen King, Harlan Ellison, and Clive Barker. The illustrations are crafted by Jacob Phillips, whose portfolio includes Newburn and That Texas Blood.

Coppola expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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.” He added, “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 tale of a visionary architect, portrayed by Adam Driver, who is determined to construct a futuristic utopian city. His ambitious plans, however, put him at odds with the city's mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito, who is intent on thwarting his efforts to transform New Rome into Megalopolis. This narrative serves as a modern-day Roman fable.

While the film is not currently available for streaming, it can be rented or purchased at various digital movie platforms.