Coppola's Megalopolis Expands to Graphic Novel: 'Sibling, Not Echo'

In 2024, no film sparked as much debate and division as Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. This bold, unique, and to some, bizarre epic became the talk of the town following its premiere at the previous year's Cannes Film Festival. As discussions and critiques swirled around the film throughout the year, Coppola has now announced an exciting new project: the release of Megalopolis as a graphic novel.

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

Coppola expressed his satisfaction with 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 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 narrates the story of a visionary architect, played by Adam Driver, who is driven by the belief that it is his destiny to construct a modern utopian city. However, his ambitious project to transform New Rome into Megalopolis draws the ire of the city’s mayor, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, who is determined to thwart his plans. The film, rooted in a Roman fable, explores themes of ambition, power, and urban transformation.

While Megalopolis the film is not currently available to stream, it can be rented or purchased from various movie platforms.