AceShowbiz - Francis Ford Coppola has spoken out about allegations regarding his "unprofessional behavior" claim on the set of "Megalopolis". In a new interview on Monday, August 26, the director admitted to kissing women on the set.

Rolling Stone asked him whether he "kissed and touched extras in a way some people found inappropriate." To the question, Coppola replied, "You're talking about the Guardian piece, which is totally untrue."

"The truth of the matter is they were looking for some sort of dirt," the filmmaker, who initially denied the kissing claims, explained. "The young women I kissed on the cheek in regards to the New Year's scene - they were young women I knew."

Coppola believed that the claims and report were made against him "to damage the picture" ahead of the Cannes premiere of "Megalopolis". "It's all so ridiculous," he said. "Look at the timing of that article."

The filmmaker went on saying, "There's a prevailing tendency in Hollywood to say, 'If you follow our rules, you'll have a better chance of a success.' " He added that he's "trying to do something different here," noting that "film is change."

"I mean, the movies that your grandchildren are going to make are going to be nothing like what we see now," he insisted.

Back in July, Variety published two videos that backed Guardian's kissing allegations. One of the videos was taken in February 2023 at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta.

The extras playing female party-goers had been "cleared for topless nudity" according to the call sheet. Meanwhile, others in the scene had been "cleared for scantily clad." At one point, Coppola was seen leaping up to kiss and hug several women. He later announced through a microphone, "Sorry - if I come up to you and kiss you, just know it's solely for my pleasure."

On the other hand, executive co-producer Darren Demetre tried to defend the filmmaker in a 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," he said.

"It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film," Darren continued, adding that he "was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project."