The best work of Francis Ford Coppola

“Our new film ‘Megalopolis’ is the finest work I have ever had the privilege to preside over,” reads a quote attributed to iconic director Francis Ford Coppola attached to the official trailer for his epic new film.

The film, which will premiere in competition Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival, is a project years in the making for the director, who began working on the script in the 1980s.

The legendary filmmaker behind “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” invested $120 million of his own money in the film.

The trailer begins with a voiceover reflecting on the decline of empires: “When does an empire die? Does it collapse in one terrible moment? No no. But there comes a point where people stop believing it – before cutting to a Roman chariot race, a metropolitan cityscape and scenes of protest.

According to the official synopsis, “‘Megalopolis’ is a Roman epic fable set in an imagined modern America. The city of New Rome must change, sparking a conflict between Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a genius artist who seeks to launch into a utopian and idealistic future, and his opponent, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who remains committed to a regressive policy. status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Caesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.

“Megalopolis” sports an all-star cast, with Driver leading the pack alongside Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe. Fineman, James Remar, DB Sweeney and Dustin Hoffman.

Coppola wrote and directed, with Fred Roos, Barry Hirsch and Michael Bederman producing. Executive producers are: Anahid Nazarian, Barrie Osborne, Darren Demeter.

Watch the trailer here.