In a first-look clip released for Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film "Megalopolis," actor Adam Driver captivates audiences with his portrayal of architect Cesar Catilina, who possesses the extraordinary ability to control time. The more-than-two-minute video showcases Catilina on the edge of a skyscraper, seemingly contemplating a drastic decision before uttering the command "Time stop." With a shout, the cars below freeze in their tracks, allowing him to regain stability.

Coppola's visionary project, "Megalopolis," has been a long time in the making, with its initial conception dating back to 1983. The film, which reportedly had a budget of $120 million, was partially funded through the sale of a significant portion of the director's wine empire. To gauge interest, Coppola hosted a screening of the film for potential buyers at the end of March. Key industry figures including Universal's Donna Langley, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, and Sony's Tom Rothman were in attendance.

However, despite high hopes, "Megalopolis" is currently facing difficulties in finding distribution for its release. Several individuals who attended the screening have expressed skepticism about the film's marketability. One distributor stated that there was simply no way to effectively position the movie, while another made note of the challenging "business side of things." To emphasize the concerns, a studio head went as far as to say, "It's so not good, and it was so sad watching it. Anybody who puts P&A [prints and advertising] behind it, you're going to lose money."

However, amidst the criticism, there were voices of support for Coppola's ambitious project. A founder of a specialty label expressed immense admiration for the film, stating that it was personally enjoyed and praised its grand scale, suggesting that its true commercial potential might transcend the constraints of an opening weekend. Drawing a parallel, they noted how "Blade Runner" had become commercially successful despite modest initial reception.

As "Megalopolis" continues its search for distribution, the film's fate remains uncertain. The unique premise, coupled with Driver's commanding performance, has undoubtedly created intrigue among audiences. Whether it can overcome the challenges and make its mark in the competitive film industry remains to be seen.