Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious film, Megalopolis, which carries a hefty budget of $120 million, is set to premiere in cinemas across the UK and US on September 27, 2024.

However, the film has recently come under fire due to its trailer, which misquoted reviews from renowned critics like Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris, attributing negative remarks they never made.

This controversy was first reported by Vulture and other media outlets, prompting a swift response from the studio.

Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, issued an apology acknowledging the error in their vetting process, stating it was an 'inexcusable error' and admitting, 'we screwed up'.

Notably, many of the critics whose quotes were misrepresented are deceased, leaving their reputations unprotected against these fabrications.

Reports suggest that the fake reviews may have been generated by AI, with New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac speculating that they appeared to be paraphrased from actual critiques.

This incident is seen as a significant blunder that could overshadow the film's release, raising questions about the ethics of Hollywood marketing practices.

Megalopolis tells the story of architect Cesar Catilina, played by Adam Driver, who is embroiled in a conflict with Mayor Franklyn Cicero, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding New York City.

The film draws parallels between the fall of the Roman Empire and contemporary societal issues in the United States, reflecting Coppola's exploration of visionary leadership.

Concerns have also been raised regarding Coppola's filming methods and production pace, with crew members describing the process as chaotic.

Despite the mixed reception, some critics, including Justin Chang and Bilge Ebiri, have praised Coppola's audacity in undertaking such a grand project.

Ultimately, this promotional misstep inadvertently mirrors the themes of misunderstanding and misinterpretation that are often present in Coppola's films.