AceShowbiz - Lionsgate has issued an apology and recalled its trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" following the discovery that it featured fabricated quotes from movie critics.

The trailer, which premiered on Wednesday, August 21, included negative quotes from legendary critics such as Pauline Kael, Andrew Sarris, Vincent Canby and Roger Ebert, regarding Coppola's previous films. However, upon investigation, it was found that these quotes did not appear in the critics' original reviews.

In a statement, a Lionsgate spokesperson said, "We sincerely apologize to the critics involved, Francis Ford Coppola, and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We accept full responsibility and are taking immediate steps to rectify the situation."

The fabrication of these quotes has raised questions about the trailer's intentions. Some speculate that they were used to preemptively defend "Megalopolis" from potential negative reviews, given its divisive reception at its Cannes Film Festival premiere.

Lionsgate has not commented on whether artificial intelligence tools were used in creating the fake quotes. However, the incident has sparked discussion about the importance of verifying information, especially in the digital age.

The trailer's removal has reignited discussions about the contentious relationship between critics and filmmakers. While some see the trailer as an attempt to discredit critical voices, others argue that it highlights the need for critical analysis and debate.

Ultimately, the fabricated quotes have damaged the credibility of the "Megalopolis" marketing campaign and raised concerns about the trustworthiness of promotional materials in the film industry.