“Megalopolis” Trailer Scandal: Coppola’s Sci-Fi Epic Marred by Fake AI Quotes
Staff Editor Trailer Mishap Casts Shadow on Coppola’s “Megalopolis”
In an unprecedented marketing blunder, the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic “Megalopolis” has been pulled by distributors following the discovery of fabricated critic quotes. The trailer, which aimed to present Coppola as a “misunderstood” genius, featured fake negative reviews attributed to renowned film critics, including Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris.
The error was first highlighted by film critic Bilge Ebiri at Vulture, who identified the quotes as likely generated by AI systems such as ChatGPT. One particularly egregious example was a fabricated quote from Kael, claiming “The Godfather” was “diminished by its artsiness” – a statement entirely at odds with her actual views.
Further investigation by internet sleuths revealed that when asked for negative quotes about Coppola’s work, AI systems consistently produced fictional critiques, even when corrected about their historical inaccuracy.
In response to the controversy, Lionsgate has removed the trailer from all major platforms and issued a formal apology to the critics involved, Coppola, and American Zoetrope. The company acknowledged a significant failure in their vetting process and highlighted the growing concern of AI-generated misinformation in marketing.
This incident casts a shadow over the already divisive “Megalopolis” project, drawing parallels to the troubled production of Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” Unlike its predecessor, however, “Megalopolis” did not secure a Palme d’Or at Cannes, and now faces the additional challenge of a compromised marketing campaign.
The controversy also brings attention to the broader issue of AI in the film industry, with recent projects like “Alien: Romulus” utilizing AI to recreate deceased actors. As the industry grapples with these new technologies, the “Megalopolis” trailer fiasco serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of AI-assisted marketing.
