Woody Allen is preparing new movie
Acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen is preparing to shoot his next feature film, provisionally titled Wasp 2026, entirely in Madrid next year. According to official documents published on the Madrid government’s public contracting portal, the Community of Madrid, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, will grant €1.5 million in financial aid to support the production.
The agreement was formally awarded on October 24 to the economic interest group Película Wasp AIE, a consortium formed by the production companies Wanda Vision and Gravier Productions Inc. The contract specifies that the film must be shot completely within the Madrid region and that its final title must include the word “Madrid.”
Details of the Funding Agreement
The contract outlines that the €1.5 million subsidy will be distributed in three installments:
- €150,000 in 2025
- €600,000 in 2026
- €750,000 in 2027
The agreement establishes a 26-month filming period, which must conclude by December 31, 2027. It also requires an official institutional visit to the set before the release of the third and final payment.
According to the memorandum, the Madrid government describes Woody Allen as a “director and producer of international prestige, whose films reach audiences across global cinema screens and streaming platforms, enhancing Madrid’s image as a cultural and tourist destination.”
Woody Allen’s Long Relationship with Spain
This project marks Woody Allen’s third time filming in Spain. In 2007, he directed the romantic comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona, filmed in Barcelona, Oviedo, and Avilés, and produced by Mediapro. The Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Government jointly contributed €1.5 million to support that production, recognizing its potential to promote Catalonia internationally.
In 2019, after facing controversy in Hollywood over longstanding allegations by his daughter Dylan Farrow, Allen returned to Spain to film Rifkin’s Festival in San Sebastián, also produced by Mediapro. His most recent film, Stroke of Luck (Coup de Chance), premiered in 2023, once again under Mediapro’s production.
However, Mediapro will not be involved in Wasp 2026, signaling a shift in Allen’s European collaborations.
Cultural and Economic Impact
The Community of Madrid’s decision to finance Woody Allen’s next movie aims to boost Madrid’s global visibility as a top-tier filming location and reinforce the city’s role as a cultural hub. The government expects Wasp 2026 to bring significant tourism and media attention, mirroring the impact that Vicky Cristina Barcelona had for Catalonia nearly two decades ago.
