"Coppola's Megalopolis Expands into Graphic Novel: A Unique Sibling, Not Mere Echo"

In 2024, no film stirred as much controversy and discussion as Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. This audacious, distinctive, and, for some, eccentric epic captured the spotlight right from its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year. As the year unfolded, Megalopolis became a focal point of both acclaim and criticism. Now, the visionary filmmaker is set to present this compelling story in a new medium: a graphic novel.

Titled Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel, this reinterpretation 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 work on 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 shared in a statement to the outlet.

"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 forward-thinking architect, portrayed by Adam Driver, who is driven by a vision to construct a modern utopian city. However, his ambitious project pits him against the city's mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito, who is determined to thwart his plans to transform New Rome into Megalopolis. This narrative unfolds as a contemporary Roman fable.

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