Coppola Sues Variety Over 'Megalopolis' Libel Claims

Francis Ford Coppola has filed a lawsuit against Variety, claiming the publication falsely accused him of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior during the production of 'Megalopolis'. The suit seeks $15 million in damages and challenges the credibility of the anonymous sources used in the story.

Francis Ford Coppola has sued Variety, alleging the entertainment trade publication falsely accused him of unprofessional conduct and inappropriate behavior on the set of his upcoming film 'Megalopolis'. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks at least $15 million in damages.

The lawsuit describes Coppola, 85, as a 'creative genius' and posits that the accusations are driven by jealousy. It specifically refutes claims made by Variety's writers Brent Lang and Tatiana Siegel, who cited anonymous sources to support allegations of incompetence and harassment during the film's production.

A Variety spokesperson stated that the publication stands by its reporting. Coppola, however, expressed his distress over what he deems 'false, reckless and irresponsible reporting', undermining the collaborative effort behind 'Megalopolis'. The lawsuit comes just weeks before the film's US release, spotlighting the ongoing tension between media and high-profile figures in the entertainment industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)