Here’s something to cheer you up on a Wednesday morning. The first still, that I know of at least, of Woody Allen’s upcoming Paris-set thriller.
Lead actress Lou de Laâge can be seen in the exclusive image chatting with Melvil Poupaud at a coffee shop. Allen has been posting on-set images via his official instagram, but none of the actual movie. Until now.
A friend, who is part of the Paris crew, told me this morning, via email, that the production team has mentioned of the very real possibility of a Cannes World Premiere.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there is absolutely no reason for Thierry Fremaux not to select this movie for next year’s Cannes Film Festival. All the check marks are there for a Croisette debut in May.
DP Vittorio Storaro is back shooting this one with Allen. There is currently no set title for the film, shot entirely in French, but for now its working title is WASP22 aka Woody Allen Summer Project 2022. Storaro mentions that official titles usually come to Allen only after shooting and editing has ended.
Storaro is mum on what the plot of WASP22 will be about, “I know the story, but, with Woody, secrecy is a must. However, I would not compare it to “Match Point” (as Allen did). The script does a masterful job at mixing drama and comedy, each time calibrating them in very different ways. I can say that it takes place in the present, there will be laughter, but also dark chills.”
Allen has a stacked cast of French actors for this film, all of the leads have been Cesar-nominated: Niels Schneider, Lou de Laage, Melvil Poupaud, Valerie Lemercier and Elsa Zylberstein.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.