Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is putting together a high-concept drama, “Megalopolis,” and has been courting all sorts of actors such as James Caan, Oscar Isaac, Forest Whitaker, Cate Blanchett, Jon Voight, Zendaya, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jessica Lange. After Isaac reportedly passed on the project, Coppola has been seeking a new lead actor and there is something of an update from an unlikely source.
Veteran actor Robert Duvall (“The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now“), who has worked with Coppola on multiple films, has revealed to Canadian outlet The Gate that Welsh actor Christian Bale (“Ford v Ferarri“) was approached for a “lead role.”
READ MORE: Oscar Isaac Reportedly Passes On Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’
“Wonderful young actor. And in fact, I think Coppola approached him to play the lead in his new big movie,” Duvall said of Bale’s potential role.
Does this mean Bale is being looked at to replace Isaac? That remains to be seen but Bale is certainly the type of actor that has a similar stature to Isaac and could be a great option. It’s also curious that Duvall would be up to date on the casting for the new film and might indicate the actor has been talking with Coppola about a role too.
Nicolas Cage had recently teased a potential small role as well and it would mark the first time he’s worked with his uncle since the 1980s flick “Peggy Sue Got Married.”
READ MOREL Francis Ford Coppola Wants Audiences To Watch ‘Megalopolis’ As An Annual New Year’s Event
“Megalopolis” is a huge drama that tells a story similar to a Roman epic but set in modern-day America. This would explain why the budget is over $100 million along with production eyeing a shoot in New York from September to January. If production begins as expected, we won’t have to wait too long before the cast is announced officially.