Back in March, I reported that sources had told me not only was Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” pulled from every VOD platform, but that it also wouldn’t be receiving a 4K home release in North America.
To be clear: not only is “Megalopolis” unavailable to stream anywhere in the U.S., but you also won’t be able to purchase a physical copy of the film. At present, the only way to watch Megalopolis is through unauthorized means on torrent sites.
Now, according to a THR report, this decision stems directly from Coppola himself. It was reportedly his personal choice to forgo a physical or digital home release in the U.S. The legendary filmmaker has neither pursued nor accepted a distribution deal that would allow audiences to view the film at home.
Sources close to Coppola say the 86-year-old director feels strongly that “Megalopolis” should not be watched on a television screen.
“He wants it to play in theaters, the way it was intended,” said one insider.
Instead of opting for a digital rollout, Coppola is taking “Megalopolis” on tour. He recently appeared in Boston for a sold-out screening at the Coolidge Theater and is scheduled to bring the film to Detroit later this month.
It’s certainly a bold move. Coppola reportedly lost over $70M on the project and likely could have recouped at least some of that through streaming and home video deals.