Woody Allen puts Spain in the spotlight as filming begins for star-studded project

Woody Allen is returning to Spain for his latest movie, bringing an international cast to Madrid and putting the Spanish capital firmly in the global spotlight.

Madrid becomes the star

The acclaimed US filmmaker will begin shooting his 51st movie in Madrid on October 5, with filming taking place mainly in the city centre and also in Aranjuez.

The project, currently known as Wasp 2026, stars Girls and Sex Education actress Jemima Kirke alongside Alexi Wasser, Spanish actor Peter Vives, Marton Csokas and Jakob Oftebro.

Unlike a production that simply uses Spain as a convenient backdrop, Madrid is set to play a central role in the film. The movie is being shot entirely within the Madrid region and is required to feature the city in its title.

That could give the Spanish capital significant international exposure when the film is released around the world.

Boost for Spanish tourism

The production has received major backing from Madrid’s regional and city authorities, with a combined €3 million in sponsorship aimed at promoting the capital internationally.

The investment is specifically intended to encourage film tourism, with officials hoping audiences will be inspired to visit locations they see on screen.

The Madrid regional government is contributing €1.5 million, while the city is providing additional funding. The agreement requires the production to promote Madrid and showcase recognisable locations.

The film is therefore being viewed as more than just a movie production, with the potential to strengthen Madrid’s profile as an international tourist destination.

Allen’s Spanish connection

This is not Allen’s first experience of filming in Spain.

In 2008, he shot Vicky Cristina Barcelona in Barcelona, as well as locations in Asturias including Oviedo and Avilés. The film starred Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Rebecca Hall and became a major international success.

Allen later returned to Spain for Rifkin’s Festival, filmed in San Sebastián in 2019 and released in 2020.

His latest project will therefore mark his third film shot in Spain, extending a long-running relationship between the director and the country.

International spotlight

For Spain, the appeal of the new production goes beyond having a famous filmmaker working on Spanish soil.

A globally released film featuring Madrid could provide valuable destination marketing, showcasing the city’s architecture, streets and cultural attractions to audiences who may never have considered visiting.

The production is also bringing international talent and film industry activity to the region, while reinforcing Madrid’s ambitions to establish itself as a major location for international productions.

With filming due to begin in October, Spain is once again set to provide the backdrop for a major Woody Allen project, almost two decades after Vicky Cristina Barcelona introduced his distinctive view of the country to audiences around the world.