Woody Allen Announces His Retirement From Making Movies At 86

Woody Allen has announced his retirement from making movies after his next film.

The 86-year-old filmmaker is set to begin production on his final feature this coming fall and recently told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia that he has decided that this one will be his last.

In the interview ahead of Wasp 22, which will be filmed in Europe, Allen said: “My idea, in principle, is not to make more movies and focus on writing.”

He does not plan to stop working, however, as he said his next project will be a novel.

Allen had talked about stepping back from the movie business before. In a conversation with Alec Baldwin live-streamed on Instagram in June, Allen said he plans to direct “one or two more” films, adding that “the thrill is gone” because of the decline of the theatrical experience.

Throughout his career, Allen received 16 Oscar nominations for Best Screenplay and won four Academy Awards, including one for Best Director for Annie Hall (1977). He has always been known, however, for not showing up to award ceremonies.

Allegations made by his former partner Mia Farrow in recent years that he molested their child have resulted in him being blacklisted by many in the industry. Allen has consistently denied the allegations and continued to make films.

His most recent film was Rifkin’s Festival, which only had a limited release in the U.S. and grossed just $2.3 million. MPI Media Group produced the film, taking over for Amazon Studios, which pulled the plug on its $80 million distribution deal with Allen in 2019.

Earlier this year, Allen described the forthcoming Wasp 22 as “a sort of poisonous romantic thriller” and compared it to his 2005 film Match Point. The film has an all-French cast and is set to shoot in Paris.