Just recently, while speaking to Alec Baldwin in an Instagram broadcast, Woody Allen said that he believes his next film, his 50th feature overall, could be his last. He says it’s more to do with the state of the industry and not about the sexual abuse allegations that follow him everywhere he goes. Regardless, it seemed as if Allen knew exactly what was coming next, and indeed, we now know that he is deep into the development of a new film, with production expected to begin shortly.
Speaking to Le Journal de Dimanche, Woody Allen talked about what lies ahead in his future. Apparently, that includes a brand-new film that he expects to begin production on in September and is a French-language thriller.
“I am moving to Paris in September, for a two-year-old project postponed because of COVID,” said Allen (translated from the French publication). “This will be my 50th feature film. I found the financing in the United States, but the cast is entirely French and the film will be played in your language. I have already chosen the main actors. The story will be in the vein of ‘Match Point’: a kind of amorous and poisonous thriller.”
The filmmaker doesn’t go into any more detail about who is starring and what exactly the plot might be. However, Allen does, once again, explain why he doesn’t think the film industry is where he wants to create in the future. You see, Allen understands that cinemas are struggling and people are choosing “the comfort of their sofa” to stream content.
“Can we blame them for choosing the comfort of their sofa?” said Allen “We can resist, but at some point, we won’t be able to fight anymore. When that happens, I’ll start writing for the theatre. So I’m going to take full advantage of my next shoot, scheduled for this fall. It may be the last!”
As for those sexual abuse allegations and how they are likely the cause of Allen struggling to find financing and distribution in the US for his films, the filmmaker doesn’t feel like they actually contribute to him not finding work. In fact, he thinks being a writer is what gives him freedom.
“I am an author and no one can prevent me from writing, and therefore from working. It is the guarantee of my freedom and my independence,” he explained.
Well, it’s still unclear what the future holds for Woody Allen. Will he stop filmmaking? Will he jump to stage plays? We’ll just have to wait and see. For now, fans of his work can probably expect a new film from Allen next year, if filming does begin this fall.
