Francis Ford Coppola Embraces 'Megalopolis' Razzie, Blasts "Gutless" Hollywood

Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is challenging the very notion of a "bad" award.

After his ambitious film MEGALOPOLIS, he was named "Worst Director" at the recent Razzie Awards, Coppola fully embraced the "dishonor," using the platform to launch a scathing critique of a Hollywood he believes has become too risk-averse and formulaic.

"So few have the courage to go against the prevailing trends of contemporary moviemaking," he shared on Instagram, signaling his defiance.

MEGALOPOLIS garnered six Razzie nominations in total, including nods for "Worst Director", "Worst Screenplay", and "Worst Picture". Beyond Coppola's win, Jon Voight also took home the Razzie for "Worst Supporting Actor" for his work in MEGALOPOLIS, alongside his roles in REAGAN, SHADOW LAND, and STRANGERS.

Coppola's acceptance speech for his "Worst Director" award was anything but conventional. "In this wreck of a world today, where ART is given scores as if it were professional wrestling, I chose to NOT follow the gutless rules laid down by an industry so terrified of risk that despite the enormous pool of young talent at its disposal, may not create pictures that will be relevant and alive 50 years from now," Coppola passionately wrote. He concluded his post by thanking his colleagues and boldly stated, "Let us remind ourselves that box office is only about money and, like war, stupidity and politics, has no true place in our future."

He even drew a parallel to a cinematic icon, declaring, "What an honor to stand alongside a great and courageous filmmaker like Jacques Tati who impoverished himself completely to make one of cinema’s most beloved failures, PLAYTIME!"

Coppola is expected to accept his Razzie in person, a rare move for recipients of the satirical award. Despite its largely mixed critical reception, MEGALOPOLIS notably premiered In Competition at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last May.

While MEGALOPOLIS secured two Razzies, it wasn't the most awarded film of the season. That distinction went to MADAME WEB, which claimed honors for "Worst Picture", "Worst Actress", and "Worst Screenplay".