The movie bosses want the Vicky Cristina Barcelona director to consider setting his next film there, and, according to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, city chiefs are offering Allen $2 million (GBP1.3 million) in subsidies if he agrees to shoot in the city.
The moviemaker is taking the offer seriously – he recently sent his sister, Letty Aronson, to Rio to scout out locations.
The move to lure Allen to South America comes after city Mayor Eduardo Paes and state Governor Sergio Cabral agreed to merge the city and state film commissions.
Rio is currently on a wave of popularity after winning the chance to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games earlier this month (Oct09). The city will also be one of several Brazilian sites hosting the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament.
