Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is getting the graphic novel treatment.
Abrams ComicArts will publish Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel this fall, the press announced in a news release, saying that the book “offers readers an immersive new version of Coppola’s iconic cinematic story, adapted by writer Chris Ryall and Eisner-winning artist Jacob Phillips.”
Coppola’s film, with a sprawling cast that includes Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, and Nathalie Emmanuel, was released last year. It follows the clash between an architect and a politician who are at odds over plans for the city of New Rome, a stand-in for New York City.
The film was a box-office bomb and drew mixed reviews from critics. Although it received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, it also was nominated for six Golden Raspberry Awards, given to the worst films of the year.
“I was pleased to put the idea of a graphic novel in the competent hands of Chris Ryall with the idea that, although it was inspired by my film Megalopolis, it didn’t necessarily have to be limited by it,” Coppola said in a statement. “I hoped the graphic novel would take its own flight, with its own artists and writer so that it would be a sibling of the film, rather than just an echo. That’s what I feel Chris, Jacob Phillips and the team at Abrams ComicArts have accomplished. It confirms my feeling that art can never be constrained, but rather always a parallel expression, and part of the bounty we can make available to our patrons, audiences and readers.”
Megalopolis is slated for publication on October 7.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
