Woody Allen returns to Coney Island for his latest film ‘Wonder Wheel’
Woody Allen has returned to Coney Island for his latest film, “Wonder Wheel.” His 1977 success “Annie Hall,” starring Diane Keaton and Allen, was filled with scenes filmed around the first Thunderbolt roller coaster in Coney Island. Then he revisited Coney in 1987 for scenes in “Radio Days.” In this latest annual, a possible Oscar contender, he restricts himself to director and writer. The film is scheduled to occupy the prestigious closing position in the New York Film Festival in October 2017 and will open nationwide Dec. 1.
Filmed on location, the cameras started principal photography in September 2016 and then settled in for nine days at Deno’s Wonder Wheel in October 2016. Woody’s crew had full access to the park owned by brothers Dennis and Steve Vourderis and their families. Off season, the Wonder Wheel landmarked ride is open to the public only on weekends.
Rumors are afloat that a Cyclone scene was shot for the upcoming film and that even the Parachute Jump has been reborn for this production. Reports claim that some scenes were set in other Brooklyn neighborhoods like Brighton Beach and Vinegar Hill. More scenes were shot in Long Beach, New Jersey and possible the Bronx, according to IMdb.