Francis Ford Coppola Sues Variety for $15 Million Over False Allegations on Megalopolis Set

Francis Ford Coppola is suing Variety for $15 million over a damaging libel claim that he behaved inappropriately toward female extras on the set of his film Megalopolis, People says. The legendary director filed the lawsuit after Variety published an article in July 2024, citing anonymous sources who accused him of trying to kiss extras and making inappropriate comments. Coppola, 85, calls the allegations false and claims they were made with malice to harm his reputation.

In a passionate statement, Coppola’s team slammed the reckless reporting, calling it “devastating” to see his hard work on Megalopolis tainted. He defended the collaborative effort of hundreds of artists on set and vowed to fight for his reputation in court. His attorneys assert that Variety refused to retract the claims despite presenting evidence proving them false.

The controversy centers around video footage from the nightclub scene, which Variety used to back up the claims. However, actress Rayna Menz, who appeared in the footage, publicly defended Coppola, describing him as a professional and “cute Italian grandfather.”

With a lawsuit now filed, Coppola is determined to clear his name and hold Variety accountable for what he calls a “malicious” attack on his character. This legal battle is far from over, and Coppola is ready to fight for the truth.