The Phoenician Scheme, the latest ensemble film from Wes Anderson, features Benicio del Toro lead role in The Phoenician Scheme as Zsa-zsa Korda, a businessman navigating perilous rivals and personal stakes. This intense role placed del Toro at the center of Anderson’s storytelling, highlighting both the challenges he faced and the dynamics among returning and first-time actors collaborating on the project.
Bringing Together Anderson’s Veteran Ensemble and Fresh Faces
Directed by Wes Anderson, The Phoenician Scheme reunites the filmmaker with frequent collaborators like Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Bryan Cranston. Sitting at the movie’s core is Benicio del Toro, who had previously worked with Anderson on The French Dispatch. This time, del Toro leads a cast that also includes newcomers Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton. Both actors make their debuts in Anderson’s cinematic world, joining a notable ensemble marked by chemistry and a unique energy.
Del Toro’s character, Zsa-zsa Korda, is a business mogul striving to build multiple ventures while fending off formidable enemies. Mia Threapleton steps into the role of his daughter, Liesl, who has chosen a life as a nun, and Michael Cera plays Bjorn, the family’s insightful tutor. This blend of familiar and new talent marks the film as a continuation of Anderson’s tradition of mixing old favorites with new performers motivated to immerse themselves in the director’s distinctive style.
The Demands of Being in Every Scene
In a conversation with ScreenRant, Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera recounted their experiences on set under Anderson’s guidance. During press for Asteroid City, Anderson had already hinted that The Phoenician Scheme would challenge del Toro by placing him in almost every scene, raising stakes both narratively and emotionally for the cast.
“He never put it that way [to me],”
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
Bearing the responsibility of carrying so much of the film, del Toro reflected on the intensity of the task. The screenplay’s quality, he noted, made the demanding role invigorating rather than intimidating, and sharing the screen with actors like Cera and Threapleton offered opportunity for collaboration and discovery.
“I think had he done that, I would’ve got real scared. I was scared, but not that scared. The script was so good. It really was like a motivational pill. Anyone would love to play a character like that. I think all the characters, Michael’s, Mia’s, myself, they all have arcs and that’s really exciting for an actor. That’s always a challenge and fun.”
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
First-Time Experiences for Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton
For Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton, joining an established Anderson ensemble came with moments of anxiety but also a deep sense of welcome. Although actors such as Bill Murray and Jeffrey Wright were returning, Cera and Threapleton discovered that Anderson fostered a sense of unity regardless of tenure.
“You’re not treated like an outsider,”
—Michael Cera, Actor
“Everybody’s very gracious and there is a sort of familiar atmosphere, which is just nice to step into. You’re folded right into it. The three of us got together with Wes for a week and a half just alone in a room rehearsing. So that was a nice way to just kind of boil everything down to what we were all working on together and get our heads in it and form a little unit.”
—Michael Cera, Actor
Mia Threapleton, taking on her most prominent role yet as Liesl, described initial nerves as she entered this new world. The support from both the crew and fellow cast members immediately made her feel at home, showing the inclusive nature of Anderson’s sets even for those stepping in for the first time.
“I remember arriving in Germany, going to the hotel, and I just didn’t know anybody,”
—Mia Threapleton, Actor
“I remember going downstairs for lunch, having that moment of thinking, ‘Okay, I think this is going to feel a bit like a big school. I’ll just sit in the corner on my own. I don’t really have a clan yet.’ I walked in, and the grip team and the camera team were there, and they all went, ‘Oh Mia, it’s so lovely to meet you. Come sit with us!’ They just folded me in. Not a lone wolf, part of the pack instantly.”
—Mia Threapleton, Actor
The Phoenician Scheme Arrives in Theaters
Now showing in theaters, The Phoenician Scheme showcases the creative chemistry between returning collaborators like Benicio del Toro and new voices such as Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton. With Anderson’s signature direction and del Toro’s commanding, ever-present performance at its center, the film further expands the director’s repertoire of unique storytelling while providing a launching point for new talent in his cinematic universe. Audiences can expect to see a compelling mix of seasoned performance and fresh energy as the cast navigates intrigue, family, and loyalty within Anderson’s distinctive narrative framework.
