Just ahead of the film’s debut at the Cannes Film Festival later this week, a report was published Tuesday by The Guardian that detailed, among other things, Coppola’s alleged attempts to kiss topless female extras and even pulling women to sit on his lap.

“We were all aware that we were participating in what might be a really sad finish to his career,” one unnamed crew member told the outlet.

Aside from looking to kiss extras, “trying to get them in the mood,” the 85-year-old Academy Award-winner was accused of smoking marijuana for hours on end in his trailer while the crew was simply waiting around for nothing to do.

During production, almost the entire visual effects team, as well as was the production designer and supervising art director either fired or quit, according to reports from January. 

New teaser for Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘MEGALOPOLIS’

Releasing later this year in theaters.pic.twitter.com/2AwOS6n3ae

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 14, 2024

“This sounds crazy to say, but there were times when we were all standing around going: ‘Has this guy ever made a movie before?’” another crew member recounted.

Coppola, who’s put up $120 million of his own money toward the passion project, is somewhat notorious for his chaotic and delayed productions.

The making of his 1979 film “Apocalypse Now” was captured by his late wife Eleanor in the 1991 documentary “Hearts of Darkness,” during which Coppola himself admits in one interview, “little by little we went insane.”

“Megalopolis” executive co-producer Darren Demetre has come to the legendary filmmaker’s defense.

“Francis successfully produced and directed an enormous independent film, making all the difficult decisions to ensure it was delivered on time and on budget, while remaining true to his creative vision,” he said in a Tuesday statement.

“There were two days when we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players,” Demetre added.

“It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film. I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project.”

The seven-time Super Bowl champion joined The Pivot Podcast for an hour-long interview released Tuesday, during which he spoke with hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder about his life and career post-football.

Toward the end of the conversation, former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor asked Brady what his biggest takeaway was after going through with the roast.

“I loved when the jokes were about me, I thought they were so fun,” Brady said, before adding, “I didn’t like the way it affected my kids.”

The 46-year-old didn’t elaborate on which jokes he felt were problematic, but there were several quips made during the event surrounding his divorce from ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.

“It’s the hardest part … like the bittersweet aspect of when you do something that you think is one way and then all the sudden you realize I wouldn’t do that again because of the way that it affected actually the people that I care about the most in the world,” Brady continued.

In the wake of “The Roast of Tom Brady,” a source told People Magazine that Bündchen was “deeply disappointed” in what she felt were “irresponsible” jokes made during the event.

Jeff Ross, an executive producer of the roast and one of the comedians who performed, later confirmed that the football legend was mostly unaware of what was going to be said.

“I kept him in the dark on a lot of the surprises, and he didn’t hear anybody’s jokes,” Ross said on The Rich Eisen Show the day after the roast.

Brady added that he may have been “naïve” about what was going to happen on-air, and said it was a good lesson for him as a parent.

The British Albanian beauty hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, then threw a free concert in Times Square in the rain on Sunday.

Monday she attended the Met Gala and then threw her first afterparty at Rob Toma’s Hearsay in the Meatpacking district, holding hands with her boyfriend, “Fantastic Beasts” star Callum Turner.

Sam Smith was the first one in the club as soon as it opened at midnight. Dancing with their boyfriend, designer Christian Cowan, they got the place jumping. The couple were still wearing their finest from the Met Gala.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez rolled in for a brief appearance around 1:30 a.m. They were followed by seven bodyguards.

Less protected were Baz Luhrmann and Kenan Thompson.

Lipa, wearing a short skirt and a sheer black top, seemed in a great mood and gave props to her sometime musical collaborator, Black Coffee, who spun for two hours followed by DJ Mink.

****

FKA Twigs hosted her Met Gala afterparty at Boom on top of the Standard Hotel.

Guests included Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon, “Creed” star Tessa Thompson and singer Camilla Cabello, who carried a block of ice with a copper rose frozen inside as her purse.

****

Everything is coming together for Tony Spiridakis, a filmmaking refugee from Hollywood who moved to the North Fork of Long Island.

When the abandoned century-old movie theater in Greenport faced the wrecker’s ball, Spiridakis secured $1 million from 900 individual donors to rehab the theater.

In a case of perfect timing, after 12 years of struggle, “Ezra,” a story inspired by his life as the father of a neurodivergent son, will debut at the renovated Sapan Greenport Theatre on May 31st.

The movie stars Spiridakis’ best friend Tony Goldwyn, Robert De Niro and Bobby Cannavale.

****

Nutsa Buzaladze was the hit sensation on “American Idol” last summer where the phrase “Nuts for Nutsa” became a chant for her newfound fans.

Now Nutsa — a contestant on the “Eurovision Song Contest 2024” representing her own country of Georgia — will celebrate Mother’s Day by taping “A Mother’s Love” for “Good Day, New York.”

Jesse Nash, who wrote the song, said, “With all the crazy negativity in the world, there couldn’t be a better time to release a song that puts a little goodness out there.”

****

Before Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban attended Anna Wintour’s Met Gala, the Oscar winner received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award in L.A.

At the Met, Kidman confided she was thrilled with the award but emphasized “I’m not done yet!”

Also on the AFI red carpet in Hollywood were Jane Seymour and her pal, author Christy Cashman, talking about producing the screen adaption of Cashman’s novel “The Truth About Horses.”

Seymour, who is directing her first episode of her TV show “Harry Wilde” this summer, is headed to the Nantucket Book Festival on June 16, where she will conduct a symposium with Cashman about her book.

****

Tony Danza will star in a staged reading for potential investors of “It Fell Off a Truck” by Jules Feiler on May 22.

Anthony Scaramucci‘s daughter, Amelia Milo, is in the cast, so maybe the former White House Director of Communications will invest.

****

Out & About: Russian designer Radmila Lolly, declared the NBA’s “most fashionable courtside seat holder,” has a capsule collection dedicated to the Miami Heat sold at the Kaseya Center store … Best-dressed socialites Kimberly Paige Bluhm and Yaz Hernandez at the Valentino party … “Real Housewife” alum Kelly Bensimon getting a bikini tan and her hair moisturized by celebrity hairdresser Chaz Dean at his salon in Greenwich Village …. Divorce lawyer Ken Jewell at La Goulue talking about Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher’s messy split after 14 years of marriage and 23 years together. How they’ll divide their $150 million dollar fortune will make their lawyers rich … Singer Huey Lewis at Carnegie Diner & Cafe in Midtown.

The recent Grammy winner will join trailblazing punk-ska band Fishbone, retro soul ensemble Thee Sacred Souls, Belgian dance sensations Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul, rising Afrobeat star Seun Kuti, and sought-after turntablist DJ Spinna for the event kicking off June 8 at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park.

The festival’s theme, “Raised in Brooklyn,” is a tribute to the role the borough has played across the global culture through its icons, public servants, artists, community activists and business leaders.

Ndegeocello — who once called Carroll Gardens her home for about a decade — has been a longtime supporter of the Downtown Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization behind the festival. She performed at BRIC JazzFest in 2018 and crafted the soundscape for Sune Woods‘ 2022 contemporary art exhibition “Aragonite Stars.”

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! executive director Saidah Blount considers Ndegeocello a “hometown hero.”

“Meshell continually shows us why, in my opinion, she is a quintessential ‘Raised By Brooklyn’ creative,” she told the Daily News on Thursday. “She enables vital conversations about topics that are core to BRIC’s mission, including what it looks like to be creative across cultural lines, political thought, and diverse community perspectives.”

Running through Aug. 24, this year’s festival will also host free film screenings of the new Bob Marley biopic “One Love” and Spike Lee’s seminal movie “Do the Right Thing,” which celebrates its 35th anniversary.

On June 12, BRIC will honor DJ D-Nice at the 2024 BRIC House Party & Gala.

Gates, 51, was struck at approximately 9:12 a.m. near the South Orange Station by a Morris & Essex Line train, NJ Transit confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday. About 60 people were onboard the train, though no other injuries have been reported.

“Thom was the center of ‘Illinoise’ on Broadway, a beloved friend and collaborator,” read an Instagram statement shared by the musical. “We are devastated for his husband Rick, another member of the ‘Illinoise’ community. These two amazing human beings led our company on our journey since the beginning. We dedicate the run of ‘Illinoise’ to Thom and his loving memory.”

Wednesday night’s performance of “Illinoise” at St. James Theatre was canceled, but the production resumed Thursday.

Gates had been working as a stage manager on Broadway for two decades. He was part of the backstage operation of “Hairspray,” “Newsies” and “Waitress,” among several other shows.

“He was gentle. He was funny, usually without meaning to be. He was soft spoken. Reliable. Generous. Loving. Compassionate. Tired and overworked, but I never heard him complain. He was the first one in and the last one out,” wrote actress and artist Sara Bareilles, who worked alongside Gates on “Waitress.”

“He has been a stage manager for many shows over the years and taken care of countless others … but he’s the only one I made my first show with who took care of me,” she added.

Gates’ newest project was “Illinoise,” based on the 2005 Sufjan Stevens album of the same name. “Illinoise” has been praised for its atypical nature and ability to capture the unclassifiable energy of Stevens’ music. The show was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations and Best Lighting Design.

Actress Liana Hunt, who starred in “Newsies,” paid tribute to Gates on Instagram.

“I’m heartbroken. Thom put me into ‘Newsies’ and ran our ship at the Nederlander with grace, kindness, professionalism and humor,” she wrote Thursday. “This is a deeply felt loss in our community. I’m shocked and sad and sending so much love to his family.”

Free

Strength of a Woman Summit

The Glasshouse — 660 12th Ave., Hell’s Kitchen

Sat. May 11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige reigns supreme in her hometown of New York City this weekend. Her Strength of a Woman three-day festival includes concerts, a gospel brunch and a free community summit.

The nine-time Grammy winner (and two-time Oscar nominee) assembled a who’s who of celebrity notables — such as Taraji P. Henson, Angie Martinez and best-selling author Bevy Smith for a day filled with panels focused on female empowerment through personal style, finance, small business development, health and wellness. Actors such as Larenz Tate, Michael Rainey Jr. and Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man will be on hand as well.

Free with registration.

Theater

“All of Me”

The Pershing Square Signature Center — 480 W. 42nd St., Hell’s Kitchen

Through June 16

“The Closer” star Kyra Sedgwick — last seen on Broadway in a 1998 production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” — returns to the stage in the new Laura Winters play “All of Me,” a romantic comedy about a wheelchair-using boy who meets a girl who uses a scooter.

The young couple use text-to-speech technology to connect to the world around them in a story that explores how class and disability play out in America today. Lily Mae Harrington, Florencia Lozano, Brian Morabito, Madison Ferris and Danny J. Gomez also star; Ashley Brooke Monroe directs.

Tickets start at $29.

Film

31st New York African Film Festival at Film

Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center — 144 W. 65th St., Upper West Side

Through May 14

The theme of this year’s African Film Festival, produced with Film at Lincoln Center, is “Convergence of Time.” The festival features more than 50 films from more than 25 countries exploring “the intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in art.”

The New York City premiere of Darryl Pitts’ “The Rhythm and The Blues” on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. is a highlight, starring Leon as influential blues guitarist and singer Eddie “Playboy” Taylor. In the hourlong drama, the actor and musician plays the Mississippi-born sideman who lived in obscurity after being an integral part of the post-World War II Chicago Blues scene of the 1950s and 1960s.

Ticket are $17 with discounts for students, seniors and persons with disabilities.

Art

“Endless Night”

Institute of Arab and Islamic Art (IAIA) — 22 Christopher St., West Village

Through Aug. 25, Wed. through Sun., 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Nabil Kanso‘s first institutional solo exhibition in New York recently opened showcasing his expansive collection of art investigating the intersection of social injustice, myth, memory and medium.

The Beirut-born artist, who died in 2019 at 79, was renowned for his emotionally evocative murals, paintings, sketches, and watercolors. “Leaves from the Theater of War (1980-1992),” features a series of 242 ink drawings chronicling his personal account of the realities of war. But the centerpiece of the exhibit is Kanso’s large, unstretched oil paintings — such as 1988’s “Soaring Load” (pictured above) — created in response to the Lebanese Civil War.

Free.

Music

Mother’s Day Brunch with the music of Bill Withers

City Vineyard — 233 West St. at Pier 26, Meatpacking District

Sun. May 12 at 12 p.m.

Bill Withers’ youngest daughter Kori Withers is hosting a special Mother’s Day brunch celebrating the release of the children’s book, “Grandma’s Hands”, which brings her father’s famous song to life.

The singer-songwriter, who followed in her dad’s footsteps, will be joined by Valerie Simpson, Marcus Machado and Everett Bradley performing Withers’ classics such as “Lean on Me” and “Lovely Day.”

The 32-page illustrated book will be on sale at a specially marked price.

Tickets start at $30. 

Dance

“This Is The Part When You Go Woo”

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum — 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side

Sun. May 12 and Mon. May 13

Award-winning dancer, choreographer and teacher Caleb Teicher introduces their latest performance-presentation with a script and concept developed in partnership with Michael Benjamin Washington.

Offering an inside look at the range of relationships that take place in theaters between artists and audiences, Teicher’s presentation also features visuals by interdisciplinary artist Ameya Marie Okamoto.

Tickets are $35, with Choose-What-You-Pay option

Family

“Tall Timber Towers: Family Program”

The Skyscraper Museum — 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City

For the new exhibit, “Tall Timber: The Future of Cities in Wood,” architectural historian Carol Willis examines recent tall buildings made of Mass Timber and the material’s role in a more sustainable, eco-friendly future.

The exhibit seeks to demonstrate in a multimedia format how mass timber is better than steel or concrete. A model of software company Atlassian’s forthcoming 42-story hybrid timber tower in Sydney is a standout.

All ages are welcome for the guided tour for Saturday’s family program, where kids can also imagine their own timber skyscrapers. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31. Wed-Sat. from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Free. RSVP required. 

If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.

The news came Wednesday, after both Hilton and Richie hinted at their reunion in matching Instagram posts, featuring a collage of moments from their friendship through the decades.

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A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)

The new project will reportedly not be a reboot of “The Simple Life,” but a fresh concept with an original title, sources told TMZ.

While details are being kept under wraps for now, the show is presumably going to be just as hilarious as “The Simple Life.”

The original series premiered in 2003 and featured the young, wealthy socialites being tasked with a variety of menial jobs including farm work, serving at fast-food restaurants, and working as camp counselors.

The show was canceled at Fox after two seasons, allegedly due to Hilton and Richie having a falling out. But E! picked up the series and continued shooting until 2007, despite the rumored rift between the stars.

In 2006, Hilton even released an apparent diss-track titled “Jealousy,” with opening lyrics that said “I thought you were my best friend / I felt we’d be together ’til the end / You’re not the girl I once knew / Tell me where she is ’cause she’s not you.”

However, the two would eventually mend their relationship, with Richie going on the record in 2014 saying she still considered Hilton a friend. She attended Hilton’s wedding in 2022, with photos emerging from the event of the two laughing together.

The pair have reportedly been in talks for months on their latest project, and are said to be moving forward with James Corden’s production company, Fulwell 73.

They’ve also sold the concept to an undisclosed streamer, per TMZ, and are expected to make a formal announcement of the show in the coming months.

The new show was created by Greg Daniels, who adapted the American version of “The Office,” along with “Nathan for You” co-creator Michael Koman. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who created the British iteration of the show, are also producing.

The untitled series is set to go into production in July.

“The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters,” according to a press release.

The show promises an ensemble cast, but so far only Domhnall Gleeson (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “About Time”) and Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)  have been announced.

The American version of “The Office” ran on NBC from 2005 to 2013 but has maintained its fandom on streaming and with reruns in syndication.

“It’s been more than 10 years since the final episode of ‘The Office’ aired on NBC, and the acclaimed comedy series continues to gain popularity and build new generations of fans on Peacock,” said Lisa Katz, president of scripted content at NBCUniversal. “This new series set in the universe of Dunder Mifflin introduces a new cast of characters in a fresh setting ripe for comedic storytelling: a daily newspaper.”

The 59-year-old actor, who recently won an Oscar for his supporting role as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” will headline Ayad Akhtar’s “McNeal” later this year.

“Good writers borrow, great writers steal,” reads the official synopsis of the play. “Jacob McNeal is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.”

Described as “a startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity — and increasing inhumanity — of the stories we tell,” the play is set to begin performances at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater on Sept. 5.

The production is helmed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, known for directing 2008’s Broadway revival of “South Pacific” and 2018’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Akhtar, a native of Staten Island, is the creative mind behind the Tony-nominated play “Junk: The Golden Age of Debt” and the 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Disgraced.”

Downey’s film credits include “Iron Man,” “Tropic Thunder” and the 1980s cult classic “Weird Science,” among many others. The Manhattan native previously performed onstage in the Off-Broadway musical “American Passion” in 1983.

Complete casting of “McNeal” will be announced at a later date.