Francis Ford Coppola sues Variety for $15 million over ‘Megalopolis’ article alleging misconduct

Francis Ford Coppola hit Variety with a $15 million defamation lawsuit over a published story alleging the famed director behaved inappropriately and unprofessionally on the set of his new movie “Megalopolis.”

Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, the suit alleges Variety used anonymous sources who were “jealous” and told “knowing and reckless lies” about “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” director.

The July 26 story, written by Brent Lang and Tatiana Siegel — who are also sued — used anonymous reports and published video from Megalopolis crew members.

These videos appeared to show the legendary 85-year-old director trying to kiss young female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi epic during a nightclub scene at an Atlanta concert hall in February 2023.

The story claimed that because the Adam Driver-directed Megalopolis was self-financed by Coppola, there were “none of the traditional checks and balances.”

Coppola was outraged by Variety’s allegations.

“To see our collective efforts tainted by false, reckless and irresponsible reporting is devastating,” he said in a statement to TheWrap.

“No publication, especially a legacy media outlet, should be able to use undercover videos and anonymous sources in pursuit of their own financial gain.”

The director, whose 138-minute sci-fi film opens in US cinemas in two weeks, claims that Variety either knowingly published the lies or showed a reckless disregard for the truth.

“While we won’t comment on active litigation, we stand by our reporters,” a spokesperson for Variety-parent PMC told The Post.

In court documents, Coppola’s attorneys said that before filing suit, he “provided evidence to Variety that the above claims were false, and Coppola requested that the claims be retracted. Variety refused and doubled down. It repeated the same allegations and in thereby emphasizing her ill will toward Coppola. In order to clear his name and obtain a public determination of the falsity of Variety’s claims, Coppola has filed this case.”

The alleged defamation, the suit says, “was made willfully or with a knowing disregard of Coppola’s rights and with intent to harass, injure or annoy her to the extent of malice, deception or oppression, thereby giving her entitled Coppola to exemplary and punitive damages to the extent of punishing and making an example of the defendants and deterring such conduct in the future, as will be proven at trial.

Coppola’s lawyers told TheWrap that he denied the allegations made in the article at the time, and several people who have worked with him released statements disputing the allegations.

One of the extras seen in the video later took to social media, debating how they were being characterized.

“None of the allegations about @francisfordcoppola are true; it was an honor to work with such a legend. This video was shot on a CLOSED set that prohibited cell phones specifically for the safety of the cast.” Rayna Menz said in part in an Instagram Story, “I am disgusted by these allegations and hope that everyone will see the truth about what it is.â€

Coppola is seeking at least $15 million in damages.