Coppola's Megalopolis to Expand into Graphic Novel: A Unique Companion Piece

There was no film in 2024 that sparked more debate than Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. From the moment it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, the audacious, visionary, and for some, bewildering epic became a cultural lightning rod—hailed by many as a cinematic triumph, while others dismissed it as an eccentric misfire. As conversations around the film continue to evolve, Coppola is expanding its universe in a bold new direction: a graphic novel adaptation titled Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel.

Set for release in October, the book will be published by Abrams ComicArts, bringing the film’s ambitious narrative to life through a fresh medium. Written by Chris Ryall, renowned for his graphic adaptations of works by literary icons like Stephen King, Harlan Ellison, and Clive Barker, the novel will feature striking illustrations by Jacob Phillips, known for his acclaimed work on Newburn and That Texas Blood.

“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. 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,” Coppola shared in a statement.

“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.”

The story centers on a visionary architect, played by Adam Driver, who believes he is destined to construct a futuristic utopia—Megalopolis. His ambitions put him on a collision course with the city’s powerful mayor, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, who will stop at nothing to crush the architect’s dream of transforming the crumbling metropolis of New Rome. A modern reimagining of Roman mythology, Megalopolis blends grand thematic ambition with a deeply personal struggle over progress, power, and legacy.

While the film is not currently available on streaming platforms, it can be rented or purchased through major digital movie retailers.