Wes Anderson stands out in Hollywood with his unwavering unique style, prompting top stars to seek roles in his upcoming films.
His latest endeavor, The Phoenician Scheme, features Benicio del Toro alongside familiar faces like Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, and Scarlett Johansson, while also introducing new talent to the Anderson ensemble.
Set in the 1950s, the film revolves around Zsa-Zsa Korda, a ruthless yet charming tycoon who, according to Anderson, “has minimal commitment to the truth.”
Driven to establish his legacy regardless of his 10 children, the enslaved workers he intends to use, or the land he seeks to exploit, Zsa-Zsa pursues various deals to complete his project, Korda Land and Sea Phoenician Infrastructure Scheme.
Director Wes Anderson on set. Pic: Roger Do Minh/TPS Productions/Focus Features
‘An inspiration surge’
The Phoenician Scheme draws partial inspiration from the life of Anderson’s father-in-law, Lebanese businessman Fouad Malouf, to whom the film is dedicated.
Del Toro shared with Sky News that portraying such a distinctive character was truly rewarding.
“It’s like taking an inspiration surge,” he explains.
“You’re energized because it’s Wes Anderson; the script, the story, and the character motivate you. It’s original and unpredictable, with an incredible character arc full of contradictions.”
Director Wes Anderson on set. Pic: Roger Do Minh/TPS Productions/Focus Features
Always considering an actor – mostly…
Michael Cera, who portrays Bjorn, admitted feeling a “sense of dread” about joining the cast. His role was specifically crafted for him, a fact he still finds astonishing.
“You’d think Anderson has every actor at his fingertips,” he remarks.
After delays due to an actors’ strike, Cera worried the project might not come together.
“I felt uneasy until we started filming,” he confesses.
Each aspect of an Anderson film is meticulously coordinated, from wall art (including original pieces by Renoir and Magritte) to a character’s detailed backstory of collecting fleas in a plastic bag as a child.
While most roles in his films are crafted with specific actors in mind, the character of Liesl, the tycoon’s daughter, is the notable exception.
Michael Cera as Bjorn and Benicio del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda. Pic: Focus Features
The dream call
After months of auditions, Mia Threapleton received the exciting news that she’d play the straight-talking nun called to inherit her father’s business following his sixth brush with death.
At 24 years old and the daughter of Kate Winslet, Threapleton got the call while traveling on a train and was so shocked she asked her agent to confirm it.
“I didn’t believe it – she laughed and reassured me, ‘Of course I’m not joking, this is real.’ Then, I sat down on the floor and cried.”
More entertainment news:
Billy Joel cancels upcoming gigs
Marvel’s next Avengers films delayed
Del Toro thinks it was Threapleton’s screen test, where she showcased her inventive spirit by using a napkin as part of a nun costume, that earned her the role.
“I asked, ‘Does anyone have hairpins?’ And I pinned it to my head.”
For many actors, landing a role in a Wes Anderson film is a dream come true, and Threapleton expresses disbelief at achieving this milestone so early in her career.
The Phoenician Scheme is currently in theaters.