Amazon definitely loves Woody Allen because it dared to compete against Sony Pictures Classics to acquire the North American rights to his latest and still untitled romantic comedy. Allen's film will still receive a nationwide release in cinemas but the only difference is that it will be quickly available for Amazon Prime subscribers after its commercial run.
The multi-awarded filmmaker's previous films were released by Sony Pictures Classics but it seems Allen has found a new partner in Amazon since the premium streaming site signed him on to write and direct a mini-series in 2015.
"Woody Allen is a brilliant filmmaker. We're so proud to be in business with him for both his next film and his first-ever TV series," Amazon Studios head Roy Price said.
Allen's romantic-comedy is set in the 1930s starring Anna Camp, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Tony Sirico, Kristen Stewart and Ken Stott, among other brilliant actors. The film is already in post-production and is slated for release in summer. However, no other details have been released.
"Like all beginning relationships, there is much hope, mutual affection, and genuine goodwill – the lawsuits come later," Allen said in a statement.
Allen's words seem funny, especially since Amazon seems to hold him in high regard and has considerable trust in his skill as a filmmaker. But, perhaps, there is a hint of real anxiety in them. After all, Allen did admit that he was having a difficult time with the six-episode mini-series that he signed up for with the streaming site.
"For me, it has been very, very difficult. I've been struggling and struggling and struggling. I only hope that when I finally do it – I have until the end of 2016 – they're not crushed with disappointment because they're nice people and I don't want to disappoint them," Allen said in an interview.
