Stars Discuss Wes Anderson’s Quirky Vision Behind The Phoenician Scheme

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This weekend, you can catch Wes Anderson’s movie titled “The Phoenician Scheme” in cinemas. In an interview with ComicBook, key actors Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera shared their experiences working on this latest Anderson project, a thrilling caper. Del Toro has previously collaborated with Anderson in 2021’s “The French Dispatch,” while this is the first time for Cera. He found it an exhilarating experience and mentioned that it significantly impacted his approach to filmmaking. Both actors also discussed the distinctive, intricate visual style that is a hallmark of Anderson’s films.

In the film titled “The Phoenician Scheme“, Del Toro heads an impressive cast comprising Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, and Bryan Cranston. Del Toro portrays ailing businessman Zsa-zsa Korda. As Korda embarks on a daring new business venture, he designates his sole daughter, Liesl (played by Mia Threapleton), who is a nun, as the inheritor of his estate. The character played by Cera is Bjorn Lund, a Norwegian scientist specializing in insects, hired by Korda to educate his nine sons. However, Lund develops feelings for Liesl.

Benicio del Toro Credits Anderson’s Specificity as the Root of His Filmmaking Success

Del Toro, a well-known and admired actor who’s collaborated with many legends in the industry, labeled Anderson as a “distinctive director.

He explained, “Everything we’re doing is based on his vision, and my role is to ensure I grasp the narrative correctly.

Earlier, Del Toro portrayed a business tycoon named Korda in “The French Dispatch,” which was directed by Anderson and marked a significant departure from his previous character as a painter. In “The Phoenician Scheme,” he described the role as quite distinct, labeling Korda as a ruthless entrepreneur with an intriguing character development. Regardless of who he’s portraying, Del Toro emphasized that trust in Anderson’s vision was crucial for their successful collaboration on “The Phoenician Scheme.

In essence, Del Toro shared that his primary focus was ensuring he grasped Wes Anderson’s story correctly before learning his lines. After understanding it, he trusted Anderson and rolled with the performance, hoping for the best since he believed he was in capable hands.

Additionally, Del Toro acknowledged the significant contribution of costume designer Milena Canonero from “The Phoenician Scheme” in helping shape the iconic character of Zsa-zsa Korda, whom Del Toro refers to as a ‘legend’.

Del Toro exclaimed how truly astonishing it was. As soon as he donned the suit and shoes, it seemed like a significant portion, if not more, of the work had already been accomplished.

Michael Cera Details the Perils of his Fake Mustache in The Phoenician Scheme

In the movie, Cera wore a false mustache to portray the lovelorn bug specialist Bjorn Lund. He was genuinely astonished at the impact it had on his acting.

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you from personal experience, sporting a genuine mustache versus one that’s affixed to your facial skin is like night and day. A fake one constantly lingers in the back of your mind. Every time I attempt to express myself through my smile, I’m reminded of the adhesive anchoring it to my face. I find myself hesitant to show too much enthusiasm, lest it might come loose and end up floating in my soup.

Leaving aside any concerns about false beards, Cera described Anderson’s directing approach as “extremely cool and incredibly informative.” Most recognized for his work as an actor and producer, Cera stepped into the director’s chair in 2023 with the movie “Self-Reliance.” On the set of “The Phoenician Scheme,” Cera shared that Anderson’s emphasis on playfulness and exploration significantly impacted him.

As a film enthusiast, I’m captivated by Wes’s relentless pursuit of perfection. He wouldn’t budge until he was absolutely certain that something extraordinary had occurred. His determination was unwavering – he would tweak, adjust, and refine his work until it felt right, as if to say, “We’ve struck gold here.” John Cera elucidated, “This method breeds excellence. Once you’ve achieved what you set out to do, that’s when the real magic happens – exploring new avenues and discovering truly innovative ideas.

Given the glowing endorsements from del Toro and Cera, it seems likely they’ll team up with Anderson for his upcoming project.

The Phoenician Scheme is now playing in limited theaters and opens nationwide on June 6th.

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2025-06-02 01:41