Woody Allen may have to self-release his memoirs and his movies from now on

Woody Allen had a four-picture deal with Amazon Studios.

But after releasing two movies through Amazon (Cafe Society, Wonder Wheel) and a TV series that got panned, combined with renewed allegations against Allen by his children, Allen has found himself not only on the outs with Amazon, but also with potential publishers of his memoirs.

Allen allegedly tried to shop a book deal in 2018. But The New York Times reported this month that his deal was a non-starter:

In the last year, Allen quietly tried to sell a memoir, according to executives at four major publishing houses, only to be met with indifference or hard passes. Before the #MeToo movement roared to life, Allen’s memoir would probably have set off a bidding war and commanded six or seven figures, given his cultural status. But with his career all but derailed by resurfaced allegations that he molested his daughter Dylan Farrow nearly three decades ago — allegations that Allen denies and that have left Americans unsure whom to believe — the prospect of publishing his memoir seems to hold little appeal.

Meanwhile, Allen’s third film with Amazon, A Rainy Day in New York, got shelved by Amazon, only for Allen to sue the company for $68 million.

That film’s star told fans last year via social media that he planned to donate his salary from A Rainy Day to charity. “I don’t want to profit from my work on the film, and to that end, I am going to donate my entire salary to three charities: TIME’S UP, The LGBT Center in New York, and RAINN,” Timothée Chalamet said. “I want to be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the brave artists who are fighting for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Amazon did just this month give Allen his movie back, to do with whatever he wants. So far, he has released an official trailer via Facebook.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →