Atlanta Extra Files Lawsuit Against Francis Ford Coppola Over Alleged On-Set Harassment

Atlanta Extra Files Lawsuit Against Francis Ford Coppola Over Alleged On-Set Harassment

ATLANTA — An extra from the set of “Megalopolis,” the highly anticipated film by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, has filed a lawsuit accusing the filmmaker of sexual harassment. The suit has been filed in the Fulton County Superior Court where Lauren Pagone has detailed disturbing allegations against Coppola and named his production company and several casting agencies for failing to intervene.

According to the lawsuit, Pagone claims that during the filming of a scene in February 2023 in Atlanta, Coppola allegedly kissed her cheek and touched multiple parts of her body without her permission. Pagone asserts that on February 14, 2023, she was prepped for a topless scene which prompted her to request an intimacy coordinator. Instead, she was given a spaghetti strap shirt, but no coordinator was brought to the set.

The court records highlight that “Plaintiff was not provided with any rider that explained the details for sexual content and/or nudity guidelines on set” and no designated crew member was available to address concerns. It also claims Coppola approached Pagone on set, calling her beautiful before grabbing, hugging, and kissing her without her consent. Pagone said that when Coppola kissed her cheek, she felt his saliva on her face, leaving her “shocked and confused.”

Troubling On-Set Behavior Alleged

Pagone states in her lawsuit that it was conveyed by the casting agencies—Rose Locke Casting and CL Casting—that there would be no sexual content in the scene. However, she experienced unwanted attention not just from Coppola but also from other background actors following the director’s instructions.

Coppola allegedly addressed the set via microphone, saying, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure”. He reportedly directed the cast to act spontaneously, including kissing one another if they felt like it. This directive led to an atmosphere where Pagone endured “unwanted and uncomfortable sexual comments from background actors,” without any guidelines on how to handle such situations.

The absence of an intimacy coordinator persisted throughout filming, as alleged in the suit. Pagone describes multiple instances of Coppola seeking her out, grabbing her, kissing her, and making her feel uncomfortable. She recounted a moment when she felt so overwhelmed that she thought she might pass out and had to retreat to a bathroom to regain her composure.

The lawsuit alleges that this environment was orchestrated by the defendants, specifically noting the lack of an intimacy coordinator for Pagone to consult regarding her interactions with Coppola. Footage from the set reportedly captured some of these incidents, supporting Pagone’s claims.

Seeking Justice

Pagone, who shared limited details in an interview with Vanity Fair in August, officially filed her lawsuit on Monday. Through the suit, she seeks damages for civil battery, civil assault, negligent failure to prevent sexual harassment, negligent and wrongful hiring and supervision, and punitive damages for her overall experience on set. She calls for a trial by jury in Fulton County.

In response to the lawsuit, an attorney for Coppola disputed the claims, stating, “The lawsuit has no merit and we will be filing an answer disputing all claims”.

This case highlights serious allegations within the film industry and raises ongoing concerns about on-set conduct and the importance of proper oversight to protect actors and crew members.