Prolific filmmaker Woody Allen has announced that his forthcoming project, his 50th movie, is set to be his last. Announcing the news to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, the Annie Hall creator revealed that he plans to focus on writing a novel and retire from moviemaking.
While in Europe to work on his 50th film, Woody Allen told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia that he intended to retire from making movies and to dedicate more time to writing during his twilight years. What is now set to be his final film is set in Paris and will be shot entirely in French in a couple of weeks.
In an interview with La Vanguardia ahead of Wasp 22, to be filmed in Europe, Allen said: “My idea, in principle, is not to make more movies and focus on writing.”
Allen, 86 years old, has won 12 Academy Awards throughout his career and is known for films such as Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and several others.
This isn’t the first time Allen has discussed stepping back from the movie business. In a conversation with Alec Baldwin live-streamed on Instagram in June, Allen said he plans to direct “one or two more” films, but also said “the thrill is gone” because of the decline of the theatrical experience.
His most recent film was Rifkin’s Festival, which grossed just $2.3 million, reaching the U.S. in a limited release. MPI Media Group handled the film, stepping in for Amazon Studios, which pulled its $80 million distribution deal with Allen in 2019.
