Following the divisive debut of Megalopolis, legendary director Francis Ford Coppola is bringing his passion project into a new dimension — the graphic novel. Set for release this October from Abrams ComicArts, Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel promises a standalone narrative that reflects the spirit of the film without being bound to its frame.
The book is written by Chris Ryall, known for adapting works by Stephen King and Clive Barker, with artwork from Jacob Phillips, the illustrator behind That Texas Blood and Newburn. Coppola, who spent decades and over $120 million of his own money developing Megalopolis, described the book as "a sibling of the film, rather than just an echo." He added: "Art can never be constrained, but rather always a parallel expression."
The original film, which premiered at Cannes to a ten-minute standing ovation, told the story of visionary architect Cesar Catilina (played by Adam Driver) clashing with political forces while dreaming of a utopian city. While the film divided critics and underperformed at the box office, it sparked intense debate — a legacy now set to evolve further through the lens of Ryall and Phillips.
"Coppola’s storytelling challenged and inspired me at every turn," said Ryall, with Phillips adding that the scale of the project pushed his artistry "to new levels."
For Coppola, who once said, "The money doesn’t matter. What is important are the friends," the graphic novel represents not just an extension of the film, but a reaffirmation of his belief in storytelling without compromise.
