In a surprising return to voice acting after a quarter-century hiatus, legendary filmmaker Woody Allen is set to lend his iconic vocals to the upcoming Spanish animated short “Mr. Fischer’s Chair.” The project, which will be formally announced with several key co-producers during this year’s Annecy Festival, promises to offer a unique perspective on the iconic 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.
Directed by Xosé Zapata and Lorenzo Degl’ Innocenti, the creative minds behind the Spanish Academy Goya Award-winning animated short “The Monkey,” “Mr. Fischer’s Chair” will delve into the controversy surrounding game 17 of the “Match of the Century.” During this pivotal moment, the Soviet team accused the Americans of maliciously manipulating Fischer’s Eames Executive chair, leading to an exhaustive examination of the iconic seat.
The film will be a four-country co-production effort, bringing together talent from Portugal’s Boavista Filmes, the UK’s Passion Pictures, Spain’s Imagic TV, and the US-based DareSay, which has previously collaborated with Allen on several projects, including last year’s “Coup de Chance.” Joining Allen as co-producers are Chris Burnel, Jordi B. Oliva, and Adam B. Stern, representing their respective production companies.
In addition to narrating the film, Allen will also serve as a co-producer through the DareSay label, marking a notable collaboration in an era where many US companies have distanced themselves from the director in the wake of the #MeToo movement and resurfaced allegations of sexual abuse, which Allen has consistently denied.
The creative team behind “Mr. Fischer’s Chair” plans to employ a unique blend of CGI and hand-drawn 2D animation to bring this historical chess drama to life. Zapata, who is handling the screenplay, emphasizes the importance of supporting young talent, stating, “The future is not AI; the future will always be young talent. We must support young artists with professional-level projects and guide the next generation into an uncertain future.”
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Additional support for the production will be provided by the Prime Asian Alternatives Assets VCC Fund, managed by Singapore-based N PrimePartners, as well as the Spanish and Singaporean branches of the DigiPen Group university, which will enlist young alumni to receive practical training while working on the short.
With a star-studded international team and a compelling subject matter, “Mr. Fischer’s Chair” is shaping up to be a fascinating addition to the animated film landscape. As the producers work to finalize Spanish distribution with the popular streaming platform Filmin, anticipation builds for the scheduled August 2025 release, when audiences will witness Woody Allen’s return to voice acting in this unique exploration of a legendary chess match.
