In Madrid to present two of his actors, Alexi Wasser and Peter Vives, Woody Allen, 90, revealed some details about his upcoming plans to shoot in the Spanish capital for the first time. I think I have all the ingredients for a very good movie, but that remains to be seen. I’ve got to make the movie and put it together, and it has to live up to my expectations.
That doesn’t mean that it will, but I’ll do my best,” he said. Slated to shoot from Oct. 5 in Madrid, the still-untitled project is being backed by millions in public funding on the condition that it showcases the Spanish capital on screen. The Madrid City Council also announced in December that “at least 15% of the film’s scenes will be shot in exteriors, making the city easily recognizable, showing its cultural, architectural and historical facets.” Provisionally titled “Woody Allen Fall Project 2026” — the film is produced by veteran Spanish production-distribution outfit Wanda Vision, Allen’s New York-based Gravier Productions and Puerto Rico-based 3SIX9 Studios.
WestEnd Films has recently boarded as its world sales agent. Wanda Vision’s Miguel Morales, Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida and Madrid Community President Isabel Diaz Ayuso were also present at the press conference, signaling the importance of this project to the capital. Morales, the first to speak, revealed that principal photography would take place in around 30 locations in Madrid and Aranjuez for six weeks.
His conversations with Allen began in Venice and Berlin about shooting in the Basque Country and the Canary Islands for their stronger tax incentives but it was Allen who said he really wanted to shoot in Madrid. Aside from Vives, he said that the film would include some 50 Spanish actors, including some immigrant background actors. Addressing Allen, Mayor Martinez-Almeida said: “Thank you for wanting to make your film in the city of Madrid and also in such a wonderful city as Aranjuez, which we must not forget is a World Heritage Site.” Said Ayuso: “We are especially pleased that the man who has transported the magic of the streets of New York and their peculiarities to the rest of the world will now do the same with this city and this region.
He said in an interview that the light, atmosphere and streets of Madrid weighed more heavily than other benefits when choosing where and when to shoot his new film.” Asked about his choice of music for his film, Allen said: “I like to use music that that is local and appropriate and relevant to Madrid, revealing that the very first time he came to Madrid was to play jazz. Barcelona-born Vives is likely best known for his role in drama series set in the world of fashion, “Velvet” and his role as Angel in “The Cheetah Girls 2.” Asked about his role, Vives could only say: “I play a diplomat and actually the main character is my wife in the movie. Allen has said, there’s a lot of ingredients to add into this small cocktail, and there’s not much more we can say.” Wasser, whose credits include HBO Max’s hit show “Girls,“ and “A Ghost Story” by David Lowery, revealed that she had already given up on acting when the call from Allen’s casting agent came.
Woody Allen because I’m a super fan. You know, I love this man. This is my favorite filmmaker in the world.
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