Francis Ford Coppola's highly anticipated self-funded project, Megalopolis, has unveiled its first official image, giving viewers a glimpse into the ambitious world the film seeks to create. The movie has also secured a coveted competition berth at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Megalopolis centers around the transformation and rebuilding of a deteriorating metropolis. The story follows two rival visions for the city's redemption – one from the idealist architect Cesar Catilina, played by Adam Driver, and the other from the corrupt mayor Frank Cicero, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Their clash sets the stage for an epic battle within the city's landscape.

The image provides a sneak peek at Adam Driver's character, Cesar Catilina, surveying the City of New Rome while Nathalie Emmanuel's character, Julia Cicero, daughter of the mayor, watches intently. Set in an imagined modern America, Megalopolis takes inspiration from Roman epics to weave a compelling narrative of love, power, and ambition.

After years in development, the project is finally coming to fruition as it premieres at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17. It will be showcased in a gala premiere, adding to the excitement surrounding the film.

Francis Ford Coppola, the mastermind behind Megalopolis, first began writing the screenplay in 1983. The ambitious project reportedly had a budget of $120 million, partly funded by the sale of a significant portion of Coppola's wine empire.

In recent developments, the film had a special screening for potential buyers, drawing the attention of Universal's Donna Langley, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, and Sony's Tom Rothman, among others. While distribution details are still being finalized, Coppola has expressed his desire for an IMAX release, further raising the anticipation surrounding the film.

With an ensemble cast that includes Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, and Talia Shire, Megalopolis promises to be a captivating cinematic experience. Coppola takes on multiple roles as director, writer, and producer, alongside Fred Roos, Barry Hirsch, and Michael Bederman.

As audiences eagerly await its release, Megalopolis stands as a testament to Francis Ford Coppola's dedication to his vision for a grand cinematic tale. Cannes attendees and movie enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate the premiere, where the film's true potential will finally be revealed.