If You're Wondering Why Francis Ford Coppola's Movie Features So Many "Canceled" Actors, Here's Why

Francis Ford Coppola addressed the controversial cast in his latest film, Megalopolis.

Francis Ford Coppola waves while holding a microphone, wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt, against a backdrop featuring the Cannes Film Festival logo
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Megalopolis, Francis's big budget epic 40 years in the making, has made headlines for reports of the director's unprofessional and erratic onset behavior, the visual effects team being fired halfway through shooting, and most recently, a trailer that reportedly included made-up reviews attributed to well-known critics.

Another point of controversy is the cast. Megalopolis stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, and Aubrey Plaza.

Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne, Nathalie Emmanuel, Francis Ford Coppola, Adam Driver, and Aubrey Plaza posing together at an outdoor event
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However, it also features several actors involved in various controversies and who were, more or less, "canceled" ā€” Shia LaBeouf, Dustin Hoffman, and Jon Voight.

Jon Voight and Shia LaBeouf on the red carpet, both in formal black tuxedos with bow ties. Voight wears a white scarf
Jon Voight and Shia LaBeouf on the red carpet, both in formal black tuxedos with bow ties. Voight wears a white scarf
Dustin Hoffman at the Austin Film Festival, wearing a classic dark suit with a white dress shirt, standing in front of a festival step-and-repeat backdrop
Dustin Hoffman at the Austin Film Festival, wearing a classic dark suit with a white dress shirt, standing in front of a festival step-and-repeat backdrop

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Shia was sued by his ex-girlfriends, including FKA twigs, for "sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress." Before this, Shia had been arrested several times on dismissed charges, according to public records and newspaper reports.

Shia LaBeouf on the red carpet wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie
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Dustin was accused by multiple women, including costars, of sexual assault, according to various reports, although his attorney has called the accusations "defamatory falsehoods."

Dustin Hoffman at a public event, wearing a black shirt beneath a blue jacket
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While different from the other actors' controversies, Jon has been criticized for his friendship and support of former president Donald Trump and his polarizing archconservative stances.

Jon Voight at a red carpet event, wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and a blue tie with printed words
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In an interview with Rolling Stone, Francis explained that including these actors in the film was intentional.

"What I didn't want to happen is that we're deemed some woke Hollywood production that's simply lecturing viewers," Francis said. "The cast features people who were canceled at one point or another."

A large group of celebrities stand on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, posing for a photo in elegant formal attire
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"There were people who are archconservatives and others who are extremely politically progressive. But we were all working on one film together. That was interesting, I thought," he said.

Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Driver, Francis Ford Coppola, Rumer Willis, and others at a red carpet event in formal attire
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Speaking of Shia, Francis said his method process stood apart from the other actors. "It was a very creative, interesting week of rehearsals. You could see the actors find the characters. Shia really took to it."

Shia LaBeouf on the red carpet wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, with slicked-back hair and a full beard
Ernesto Ruscio / Getty Images

"I had no experience working with him prior to this, but he deliberately sets up a tension between himself and the director to an extreme degree. He reminds me of Dennis Hopper, who would do something similar, and then you'd say, 'Just go do anything,' and then they go off and do something brilliant."

Two unidentified men on the red carpet in tuxedos, one adjusting his sleeve, the other with a white scarf, in a lively conversation
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As for Jon, Francis admitted that while they have different political views, this ultimately did not prevent them from making the film. "This steers me toward politics, and my publicist will yell at me if I start talking about politics," Francis told Rolling Stone. "[Megalopolis] won't cure our ills. But I honestly believe that what will save us is the fact that we've got to talk about the future."

Jon Voight on the red carpet, wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a white scarf. He is smiling and looking to his side
Samir Hussein / WireImage

"We want to be able to ask any questions we have to ask in order to really look at why this country is divided right now, and that's going to provide an energy that will defeat those people who want to destroy our republic," he added. "I made this film to contribute to that. And all I want is for this movie to start a conversation. You can't have a utopia without a conversation."

Aubrey Plaza, Adam Driver in white tuxedo, and Francis Ford Coppola on a red carpet, with photographers in the background
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Megalopolis will be released in theaters on Sept. 27.