Woody Allen unveils 51st film project ahead of six-week shoot in Madrid

Production schedule and regional funding

Woody Allen presented his upcoming feature film on 1 October 2026 at the Teatros del Canal in Madrid, confirming that principal photography begins on 5 October 2026. The production will run for six weeks across locations in the capital city and the neighboring municipality of Aranjuez. Filming sites in Madrid include the city center and the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando on Calle Alcala. Exterior and interior sequences will also take place in Aranjuez at the Royal Palace and the Gardens of the Real Sitio. The project is produced by Wanda Vision with producer Miguel Morales. The regional government of the Community of Madrid provides direct sponsorship funding of 1.5 million euros for the production.

Creative team and plot elements

The untitled project represents Allen's 51st feature film, his tenth production shot in Europe, and his third in Spain following Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Rifkin's Festival in San Sebastian. Spanish cinematographer Jose Luis Alcaine, known for his work with director Pedro Almodovar, manages the camera work. The cast is led by actors Alexi Wasser and Peter Vives, who both joined Allen at the launch event. Allen described the storyline as a contemporary comedy combining romance, intrigue, and marital infidelity set in a diplomatic environment. Wasser remarked that the narrative structure echoed Allen's previous works Alice from 1990 and Manhattan Murder Mystery from 1993. The production team confirmed that the musical score will draw directly from Spanish cultural traditions.

Presentation and political reception

Community of Madrid president Isabel Diaz Ayuso and Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida joined Allen on stage, presenting the filmmaker with a Spanish guitar as an official gift. Allen explained that he wrote the screenplay before selecting a filming location, but concluded that the diplomatic environment of Madrid fit the script. When asked about Madrid's housing crisis, Allen declined to comment on municipal politics, explaining that he does not view himself as a political filmmaker. He noted that directing has become physically demanding at age 90, though the project allowed his family to spend several months living in Spain.

I am getting lazier, I just want to shoot and go home.

Working titles and city history

The production carries the provisional working title WASP 2026, though a contract clause mandates that the final release title must contain the name Madrid. The shoot shifted from a planned summer schedule to autumn following weather considerations. Allen previously visited the Spanish capital for promotional tours and music performances, including a 1996 concert with his jazz band at the Teatro Monumental. During the press conference, Allen maintained his perspective that screenwriters carry full responsibility for a film's artistic success or failure. The director repeated his intention to retire from filmmaking after this project due to the exhaustion of active film production.

Madrid seemed like a place that made a lot of sense, there were other possibilities.