Francis Ford Coppola, the renowned director behind classic films like "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has filed a lawsuit against Variety and two of the story’s reporters, claiming that the entertainment trade publication defamed him with an article published in July. The article, which Coppola alleges was based on anonymous sources and misleading videos, accused him of inappropriate behavior during the production of his latest film, “Megalopolis.” The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, just weeks before the movie's scheduled release in U.S. theaters. Coppola is seeking at least $15 million in damages, along with punitive damages, coverage of his legal costs and a jury trial.

In his complaint, Coppola contends that the Variety article falsely depicted him as running an unprofessional set and engaging in misconduct, including touching and attempting to kiss female extras. Court documents describe the accusations as entirely fabricated and alleges Variety's article was published “with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard of the truth.”

This distinction is crucial under U.S. defamation law, where the burden of proof in libel cases involving public figures, such as Coppola, is particularly high. Coppola's attorneys argue that the alleged falsehoods meet the standard of “actual malice,” a key criterion established by the U.S. Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. For a public figure to succeed in a libel case, they must demonstrate that the defamatory statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.

According to the Variety report, an anonymous source came forward and alleged Coppola made a comment on set over a microphone, stating, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.” The article also referenced videos taken on the set of “Megalopolis” that had circulated online and appear to show Coppola interacting with female extras in ways that some interpreted as inappropriate. In one of the videos, Coppola, wearing a white suit, appears to lean in to hug or kiss several women on the cheek during a nightclub scene shoot, which Coppola argues was misconstrued by Variety to support false claims. Coppola's lawsuit asserts that the footage was taken out of context.

Coppola maintains that the videos and statements in the article were used irresponsibly by Variety to attract attention and generate revenue at his expense. In his lawsuit, he accuses Variety of malicious intent, arguing that the publication’s decision to ignore his rebuttals and continue to circulate these claims demonstrates a deliberate effort to harm his reputation. Coppola’s attorneys assert that prior to filing the lawsuit, Coppola “provided evidence to Variety that the above allegations were false and Coppola requested that the allegations be retracted. Variety refused and doubled down. It repeated the same allegations and thereby emphasized its malice toward Coppola. In order to clear his name and obtain a public determination of the falsity of Variety’s allegations, Coppola has brought this case.”

The controversy deepened when one of the women in the videos, Lauren Pagone, came forward and spoke to Variety, alleging that Coppola had touched and kissed her without her consent. Variety published a follow-up story with Pagone’s statements shortly after the initial reports of Coppola’s misconduct on set.

Pagone has subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Coppola in Georgia, accusing him of civil assault and civil battery. Civil assault involves an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of imminent harmful or offensive contact. Meanwhile, civil battery is characterized by the intentional and unauthorized physical contact with another person. Both claims require a lower standard of proof than criminal charges, making it possible for the court to rule in favor of Pagone even if there is insufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution.

Coppola has vehemently denied all allegations.