Francis Ford Coppola Explains How 'Wow Platinum' in 'Megalopolis' Got Her Name

In Francis Ford Coppola's newly released sci-fi thriller, Megalopolis, Aubrey Plaza portrays a scheming enchantress named "Wow Platinum." Since the 85-year-old master filmmaker and storyteller is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and symbolism, his decision to call Plaza's character Wow Platinum left a lot of fans scratching their heads.

But just after Megalopolis was released on September 27, Coppola set the record straight during a Q&A he hosted via the official Megalopolis X (formerly Twitter) account.

"Hi Mr. Coppola, What was the idea behind naming a character “Wow Platinum”???," wrote X user @mrhenrywaffle.

Coppola responded, "I met a southern young lady who told me her great grandmother was so beautiful that her name evolved as 'WOW.' I asked if she had a picture of her. A while later I heard back from her and she attached a photo of a painting and when I looked at it I said, 'Wow!'"

By combining "Wow" with "Platinum," Coppola was not only describing a woman of extraordinary beauty, but also one who embodies many of the precious metal's characteristics. She's awe-inspiring, timeless, strong, rare and desired — a character destined to leave an enduring legacy.

"Wow Platinum was a name meant to spark a feeling of wonder and admiration, reflecting the character's ability to captivate those around her," wrote Alexis Zaccaria on screenrant.com. "Plaza's Wow Platinum is designed to embody that sense of awe, leaving a powerful impression on the audience, much like the Southern great-grandmother whose beauty inspired the writer/director to carry her story forward in his own way."

The film follows the ambitions of architect Cesar Catilina (portrayed by Adam Driver), who wants to rebuild a dystopian city into a utopian New Rome after a disaster. The glamorous and scheming Wow Platinum is Catilina's former lover, who masterminds a power grab by marrying Cesar's rich uncle, bank CEO Hamilton Crassus III (played by Jon Voight).

In describing her powerful character, Plaza told The New York Times, "Even in the car on the way to that set, I would transform into Wow. I would go, 'OK, I'm terrified right now, I'm having a nervous breakdown as myself, but Wow's not. She can handle anything.' And I would switch like a lightbulb: 'It's Wow time.'"

Coppola, who is best know for directing The Godfather (1972) and Apocalypse Now (1979), is a 14-time Academy Award nominee and a five-time Oscar winner.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.