• “The Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola faces a financial crisis after his blockbuster flop
• He's forced to sell private island to recoup part of losses

After suffering massive financial losses from his ambitious sci-fi film Megalopolis, renowned American director Francis Ford Coppola was forced to sell a private island in Belize for $1.8 million to recover part of his losses.

Known as Coral Caye, the 2.5-acre island is fully self-sufficient with water tanks and solar panels, located a 25-minute boat ride from the mainland.

Coppola had leased the island for nine years until the lease ended last month.

Real estate agent Peter McLean said, “Mr. Coppola was deeply saddened by the end of his lease. The island was very special to him,” adding that Coppola visited it every three to six months.

Sources revealed that the buyer is a Guatemalan businessman planning to convert the island into a luxury Maldives-style resort, with rooms floating over the surrounding coral reefs.

Coppola’s decision comes after he personally invested $120 million in producing Megalopolis, which flopped at the box office, earning only $14.4 million worldwide in 2024, after struggling to secure U.S. distribution.

The film, which premiered in July, stars Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, and Jon Voight, and tells the story of a genius artist trying to build a utopian city while facing a conservative politician clinging to a corrupt reality.

Reports noted chaotic production, repeated staff resignations, and allegations of inappropriate behavior by Coppola toward some actresses.

In a radio interview in March, Coppola admitted he was broke, saying: “I don’t have any money. I invested everything I had in the film, and it’s all gone. Maybe I’ll recover it in 15 to 20 years, but not now.”

Previously, Coppola sold a rare watch valued at at least $1 million to offset some of his financial losses.