When he learned that ‘s had secured with Lionsgate, was obviously stoked because it meant the highly-publicized passion project would have a chance to reach audiences beginning Sept. 27. But he “specifically” was very excited for Coppola, who has shepherded the project since the 1970s and wound up putting a chunk of his personal fortune into the $120 million film to eventually make it happen (despite some along the way).
“He taught me how to be courageous,” Esposito told at the world premiere of on June 24. “He taught me to not ever give up, keep following through and put your money where your mouth is; have skin in the game.” has been one of the most closely watched movies of the year, following a production that saw crew departures midway through, and a high-wattage screening for studio heads in March that left some .
Eventually, Lionsgate came through, though Coppola will of the movie himself. Esposito stars in a stacked ensemble that includes Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Jason Schwartzman, Chloe Fineman, Dustin Hoffman and others. casts Driver as an ambitious architect intent on remaking New Rome (a city in similar size and scope to New York) in his vision following a devastating disaster.
Esposito plays Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who clashes with Driver’s Cesar Catilina only to see his daughter, played by Emmanuel, fall in love with him. “It is just a brilliant and beautiful film,” Esposito sa.
