Megalopolis team issues an apology as negative review quotes in the sci-fi's new trailer turn out to be fake

EntertainmentMoviesSci-Fi MoviesMegalopolisMegalopolis team issues an apology as negative review quotes in the sci-fi’s new trailer turn out to be fakeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesSci-Fi MoviesMegalopolisMegalopolis team issues an apology as negative review quotes in the sci-fi’s new trailer turn out to be fakeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Lionsgate) Lionsgate has removedthe latest trailerfor Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi epic Megalopolis from its online platforms, after it was criticized for using quotes from fake, negative reviews in the promo. “We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process,” the studio said in a statement (perVariety). “We screwed up. We are sorry.” The teaser began with seemingly scathing take-downs of Coppola’s most famous works, including The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In 1972, The Village Voice’s Andrew Sarrissupposedlycalled the former “sloppy” and “self-indulgent”, while National Review’s John Simon called the 1979 actioner “a spectacular failure”.Vulturelater exposed the reviews to be fabricated. “Even if you’re one of those people who don’t like critics, we hardly deserve to have words put in our mouths. Then again, the trivial scandal of all this is that the whole Megalopolis trailer is built on a false narrative,“Variety’s Owen Gleiberman said in a statement. “Critics loved The Godfather. And though Apocalypse Now was divisive, it received a lot of crucial critical support. As far as me [on] Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I only wish I’d said that! Regarding that film, it now sounds kind.” Dracula got off surprisingly lightly, with Gleiberman “claiming” it to be “a beautiful mess”, as narrator Laurence Fishburne claimed that “true genius is often misunderstood” and that Coppola has “always been ahead of his time”. In ourMegalopolis review, critic Anna Smith says the film is “almost so bad, it’s good”, while praising Driver’s “somber and serious” approach to the lead role. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Also starring Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel, it releases on September 27. For more, check out our list of thebest sci-fi movies of all timeor our breakdown of the most excitingupcoming moviesheading our way. 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