Woody Allen, 90, was seen in Madrid this week with his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, 55, marking their first public appearance together in approximately a year. The sighting occurred ahead of the director's return to filmmaking with a new project provisionally titled 'WASP 2026.' Allen, who last directed 'Coup de Chance' in 2023, presented his upcoming film in the Spanish capital.
Allen, dressed in a blue shirt and chinos, held hands with Previn, who wore a floral dress and sunhat, during a daytime outing in Madrid. The couple has been married for 29 years.
Upcoming Project Details
'WASP 2026,' a romantic comedy written and directed by Allen, is set to begin shooting on October 5. The film will primarily be set in Madrid and the nearby town of Aranjuez. The cast includes Jemima Kirke, Alexi Wasser, and Peter Vives. Allen expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Spain, stating, "I will be very happy to return to Spain. This will be my third time filming there and my first opportunity to make a film in Madrid, a city I have always loved." The production is set to receive €3 million in public funding from the Madrid Regional Government and Madrid City Council.
A History of Controversy
Allen's public appearances and film projects have often been accompanied by controversy. During the promotion of 'Coup de Chance' at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in 2023, his presence was met with protests. These were related to allegations of sexual assault by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, which Allen has consistently denied. He has never been charged or prosecuted in relation to these allegations.
In 2020, Allen's four-film contract with Amazon Studios was canceled amid the #MeToo movement, and he has faced challenges in securing distribution for his films in recent years. His 2023 film 'Coup de Chance' received critical acclaim and grossed $7.8 million at the box office.
Soon-Yi Previn is the adopted daughter of Allen's former partner, Mia Farrow. Allen and Farrow were together from 1979 until 1992, when Allen and Previn, then 21, began an affair. Previn was adopted from Korea by Farrow and her then-husband, Andre Previn. Allen and Previn married in 1997 and have two adopted daughters, Bechet, 28, and Manzie, 26. Allen has stated that his relationship with Previn developed gradually and felt natural, despite the 35-year age gap and her being Farrow's adopted daughter. He commented in a 2021 interview that he never considered the relationship inappropriate.