Woody Allen is heading back to Spain for his next movie. The veteran filmmaker is preparing to start production in Madrid on October 5, 2026, with the Spanish capital set to play a major role both on screen and behind the scenes.
The project has already attracted attention for reasons beyond its director. Madrid's regional and city governments are providing millions of euros in public funding, and that financial support comes with a striking condition tied directly to the movie's title. The 90-year-old legendary filmmaker will write and direct the film, which is expected to shoot entirely in Madrid. Production was previously planned for spring 2026, but the schedule was pushed back before the October start date was set.
Details about the story remain undisclosed. The production has not publicly announced its full cast either, leaving plenty of questions about the actors, characters, and even the language audiences will hear when the movie eventually reaches theaters.
Madrid is Putting €3 Million into Woody Allen's Film
Wood / IG / The Community of Madrid is providing €1.5 million to support the production. Madrid City Council is contributing another €1.5 million, bringing the combined public backing to €3 million.
The funding makes Madrid more than a convenient filming location. Local authorities see major film productions as a way to promote the city internationally, attract visitors, create local work, and strengthen Madrid's growing position as a European production center.
The project has been reported to carry a budget of roughly $12 million. That makes the public contribution a significant part of the financing, although the exact percentage depends on the final budget and the euro-to-dollar exchange rate used.
Public investment in film is common across Europe, but this deal comes with a particularly visible promotional requirement. Allen's finished movie must include the word "Madrid" in its official title as part of the agreement connected with the funding.
The arrangement gives local officials a clear promotional return if the film reaches a large global audience. It also places extra attention on the use of taxpayer money, especially because Allen remains a controversial figure in the entertainment industry.
The movie has previously been linked to the working title "Wasp 2026." That name has not been confirmed as the final title, and the Madrid requirement means the released version will need to use a different name if the reported contract terms remain in place.
A final title has not yet been publicly confirmed. That leaves the production with several major announcements still to come before cameras begin rolling in October.
The Cast and Story Remain Under Wraps
Woody / IG / The new project remains unusually mysterious considering how close production is getting. No official plot description has been released, and there is still no confirmed public cast list for the Madrid project.
That secrecy has encouraged speculation about familiar names. Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz have naturally entered the conversation because both actors previously worked with Allen on his acclaimed Spain-set film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
Their involvement in the new movie has not been confirmed. Until the production announces its cast, any suggestion that Bardem or Cruz will appear should be treated as speculation rather than a firm casting decision.
There is also uncertainty about the language of the film. Since production will take place entirely in Madrid, the movie could feature Spanish heavily, but reports have not established if Allen plans to shoot primarily in English, Spanish, or a mixture of both.
The location itself offers plenty of possibilities for Allen's familiar style of filmmaking. Madrid's streets, restaurants, historic buildings, parks, nightlife, and residential neighborhoods could give the director the kind of strong city identity seen in several of his earlier movies.
Spain has already played an important role in his European filmmaking period. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," released in 2008, featured Barcelona and Oviedo and earned Penélope Cruz an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Allen later returned to Spain for "Rifkin's Festival," which was set around the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The upcoming Madrid production continues that long relationship with Spanish locations and European film financing.
