PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia — Two years ago, Francis Ford Coppola stopped by the Georgia Film Academy looking for interns for his upcoming film “Megalopolis.”
Jordan Holyfield, a 23-year-old student at the time, was surprised when he saw a question on the application form – did he know how to open IKEA furniture?
Months later, Holyfield, one of the four selected interns, arrived at Coppola’s hotel—which was originally a Days Inn motel. But the IKEA furniture from the old motel was missing.
Now the all-movie hotel offers post-production facilities, editing suites, recording rooms, and screening spaces. This hybrid property will soon host film lovers and production companies.
The “Godfather” director originally purchased the hotel for $4.35 million to host a 2022 production of “Megalopolis” — a self-financed, $120 million film starring Adam Driver as an architect in a futuristic New York City. Amid rumors of production drama, the film received harsh reviews after its debut at Cannes, and the Associated Press reported that some critics called it a “disaster.”
Coppola’s hotel collection, The Family Coppola Hideaways, has properties in Belize, Guatemala, Argentina and Italy. The all-movie hotel, Coppola’s first property in the United States, will open July 25 in Peachtree City, about an hour south of downtown Atlanta.
There are 27 rooms, ranging in price from $170 to $470 per night.
From the outside, the hotel’s architecture reflects its old days as a motel. But props from Coppola’s films are scattered throughout the hotel, such as the old-school “Godfather” pinball machine in the lobby. An imposing golden eagle statue, which can be seen in the “Megalopolis” trailer, stands outside the pool-area fence.
Coppola himself, accompanied by a driver, stayed in one of the rooms that will soon be available for booking. In Coppola’s room, a round gray sofa with circular pillows sits in front of a king-size bed and between leather director-style chairs. The “his and hers” bathroom has a shower, inspired by the lodge Coppola stayed in in Guatemala.
“I envisioned the All-Movie Hotel as a place where filmmakers could truly immerse themselves in the creative process, and foster a collaborative environment that inspires innovation,” Coppola said.
Potted succulents imported from Italy line the outdoor walkway and textured walls. In addition to colorful doors, each room has its own distinct features. One has bunk beds designed for interns and the children of production staff. Another is Japan-themed and decorated with photos of notable Japanese filmmakers. Most of the rooms are interconnected, which Driver appreciated since he lived in the room next to his assistant.
Georgia has emerged as a top production hub since 2005, when the state enacted tax breaks for the industry. Tax credits for filmmakers increased dramatically in 2008 and are expected to reach $1.35 billion this year. The tax incentives supported $5.54 billion in economic activity in 2022, according to the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition.
Kelly Moore, executive director of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition, said filmmakers work closely with an already developed network of rental properties, hotels and house crews. But she said the all-movie hotel is “a really interesting addition that fills a specific filmmaker’s need for an all-in-one communal facility for post-production.”
Industry growth in the state has slowed, with an estimated 40% fewer productions this year than last, according to WSB-TV. But Moore is confident that Coppola’s choice to use Georgia’s infrastructure shows its location is still a creative hub.
“This hotel really shows that there’s a desire to create a complete ecosystem of production in Georgia,” Moore said.
On the last day of shooting “Megalopolis,” crew members gathered for their last meal in the farmhouse-style kitchen. Coppola rearranged several bookshelves to fit a horizontal poster of one of his signature films, “Apocalypse Now.”
Holyfield reported that the crew, actors, interns, and Coppola himself ate shrimp, pasta, pizza, sausage, steaks, sandwiches, and whatever else was left in the refrigerator.
Now, when production companies aren’t renting out the whole place, tourists can visit the Atlanta suburbs and watch Coppola cook on his own stove.
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Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on underreported issues.
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