Hilarious Story How Francis Ford Coppola Came Up With Aubrey Plaza’s Name in Megalopolis Is More Interesting Than the Film Itself
- Aubrey Plaza’s character name in 'Megalopolis' is inspired by a real story.
- Her name, 'Wow Platinum,' is more interesting than the film's chaotic plot.
- The movie's ambitious vision failed to connect with audiences and critics.
Francis Ford Coppola, the genius behind classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has everyone hyped for Megalopolis, even before it hit theaters. This time, the 85-year-old dives into the sci-fi genre with a film that’s as ambitious as it is confusing.
It features a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, and other big names. But, spoiler alert, the movie didn’t exactly set the box office on fire.
In fact, it kind of fizzled out even before it debuted on the big screen. But here’s the catch: while the film is getting mixed reviews—like a 34% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes—what’s really caught everyone’s attention is Coppola’s naming of Plaza’s character.
Yep, her name is Wow Platinum. Seriously, Wow Platinum? You know, it’s not every day you hear a character name that sounds like an exclamation used to express surprise, admiration, and excitement. And the story behind it? Hilarious!
The Origin of Aubrey Plaza’s Character’s Name in Megalopolis
For Aubrey Plaza’s character name, Wow Platinum, Francis Ford Coppola, in all his quirky brilliance, got the idea from a real-life story. During a Q&A, the director revealed how he met a southern lady who bragged about her great-grandma’s stunning looks.
Apparently, she was so breathtaking that her name transformed into “WOW.” Like, wow, right? So Coppola asked if she had a picture, and when she sent him a painting, his reaction was… you guessed it—WOW!
This name isn’t just random, though. It symbolizes a whole lot about the character. Wow Platinum is supposed to give off big charm and allure vibes.
The “Platinum” part adds a sense of luxury and permanence, almost like she’s a rare gem in a world full of rocks. It’s a clever way for Coppola to reflect the character’s impact on the chaotic city of Megalopolis. So, while the film may be underwhelming, the name is a standout part.
Critics Slam Francis Ford Coppola’s $120M Passion Project
Now, let’s talk about the actual movie, Megalopolis, where things go from intriguing to leaving you questioning what just happened—especially with such a big director behind the helm. The film kicks off in a wild version of New York City called ‘New Rome.’
We’ve got Adam Driver playing an architect named Cesar, who has the power to freeze time—because why not? He’s on a mission to tear down old buildings and create a shiny new metropolis. Sounds epic, right? Well, not quite.
Critics are calling it a ‘passion project gone wrong.’ The film’s philosophy is crammed down our throats like a poorly written essay. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 46%, even the characters’ names were more interesting than the film itself. Ouch!
Major studios saw the red flags and decided to pass on distributing it. The project ended up costing $120 million, and with a debut gross of just $4 million (via People), you know there’s some serious disappointment brewing in the director’s world. Maybe next time, Coppola?
Megalopolis is currently screening in theatres.
