Megalopolis Trailer Included Fake AI-Generated Quotes From Film Critics
Lionsgate's trailer for Megalopolis included fake quotes from film critics that were reportedly generated by AI to disparage Francis Ford Coppola's earlier work. The studio recalled the trailer and apologized after the fabrications were discovered.
What happened
A Megalopolis trailer created by marketing consultant Eddie Egan included quotes attributed to famous film critics that did not appear in their actual reviews. The quotes criticized Francis Ford Coppola's previous work, including a quote attributed to Pauline Kael saying The Godfather was "diminished by its artsiness," when Kael actually loved the movie.
When Variety prompted ChatGPT to provide negative criticism about Coppola's work from well-known reviewers, the responses provided were strikingly similar to the quotes included in the trailer, indicating AI was used to generate the false quotes.
Reported impact
Lionsgate stated the error was "inexcusable" and issued a public apology to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope.
Index analysis
Sources indicate it was not Lionsgate or Egan's intention to fabricate quotes, but was an error in properly vetting and fact-checking the phrases provided by the consultant.
Governance controls
Lionsgate immediately recalled the trailer after the fabricated quotes were identified and parted ways with Eddie Egan.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.