Woody Allen announces his retirement. Image Source: Euro Weekly News 

Woody Allen clarifies the rumours about his retirement.

According to a Spanish newspaper, La Vanguardia, it was reported that successful and brilliant filmmaker Woody Allen had announced that his upcoming movie, "Wasp 22", which is his 50th movie, will be his last.

The news report revealed that the creator had revealed his plans to focus on writing a novel and retire from filmmaking. Woody Allen had shared with the publication that his idea, in principle, is not to make more movies but instead focus on writing. The filmmaker’s upcoming movie, "Wasp 22," is all set to start in Europe as it is set in Paris and will be shot entirely in French.

Woody Allen described "Wasp 22" as very similar to "Match Point" and said that it would be exciting, dramatic, and very sinister. Woody Allen recently wrote "Zero Gravity," his fifth collection of humor pieces, will be released by Alianza in Spain on September 27. It was released by Arcade and distributed by Simon & Schuster in the United States.

Earlier this year, during a live Instagram session with Alec Baldwin, the Oscar-winning director and screenwriter revealed that he would like to direct one final project and that the thrill of making movies has worn off for him. He explained to Alec that now when someone does a movie, they get a couple of weeks in a movie house (theatres), and then the movie goes to streaming or pay-per-view and it’s not the same anymore. Woody said that the new culture of cinema is not as enjoyable for him.

Woody Allen is not retiring. Image Source: THR

But now it has been clarified that the filmmaker has no plans to retire as a statement was released that read that Woody Allen never said that he was retiring nor did he say that he was going to dedicate his time writing another novel. The statement continued that what he said was the fact that he was thinking about not making film, as making films that go straight or very quickly on streaming platform which he does not enjoy. 

The statement read that Woody Allen is a great lover of the cinema experience and he has not intention of retiring from something he loves and he is very excited to be in Paris shooting his upcoming movie. 

Woody Allen revealed to Alec Baldwin that he would have liked to work on a movie with late comic Jerry Lewis. Jerry Lewis was also accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous of his female former co-stars following his passing in 2017 during that same conversation. Woody said Jerry Lewis was a tremendous talent who consistently wasted it on frivolity, and he believes that if someone could control him and focus him on the appropriate comedy, he could deliver it magnificently. He would have liked to have directed Jerry Lewis.

The filmmaker is well-known for both her excellent work and the recently-resurfaced sexual assault claim made by Dylan Farrow and her mother Mia Farrow. Allen v. Farrow, a four-part HBO documentary series by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering that centers on Farrow's accusations, debuted in February 2021. The charges have been refuted by Woody Allen, who has also branded the documentary a "hatchet job" and stated that he has no interest in other people's opinions or sanctimonious remarks.

Following the resurfacing of the claims, Amazon Studios abandoned its $68 million four-film pact, and the director has had trouble getting distribution for newer films. The filmmaker sued them for $68 million, alleging a breach of contract. 

Later, an out-of-court settlement was achieved. Even Woody Allen has run into problems with publishers. His book "Apropos of Nothing" was scheduled to be published by Hachette but was later picked up by another publisher, Arcade, as a result of staff complaints.

Woody Allen is working on his 50th film in Europe. Image Source: Britannica.

The latest Woody Allen picture, "Rifkin's Festival," starring Elena Anaya, Louis Garrel, and Gina Gershon, made its debut at the largest film festival in the Spanish-speaking world. The director appears to be filming a lot more in Europe as his fame in the United States has fallen in light of the abuse claims against him.

Woody's1977 film Annie Hall, which also won the best picture, earned him the best director Oscar. He also won the award for a best original script for Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Midnight in Paris.

Recently, Rosie O’Donnell appeared on The Howard Stern Show and revealed that Woody Allen wanted her to star in his 1999 movie ‘Sweet and Lowdown, which went on to earn Sean Penn and Samantha Morton Oscar nominations, but Rosie said that she did not want to be associated with him due to the abuse allegations against him, which is why she turned down the role even though his team was persistent in getting her on board.