Wes Anderson Is Back With ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Trailer

One day, I long for a trailer for a Wes Anderson film that doesn’t bear his name. Instead, it would be filled with numerous shots of exquisitely symmetrical framing, showcasing an enormous cast of top-tier actors in intricately crafted settings. And finally, at the end, a title card would simply state, “Is it necessary to mention his name? You already know who the director is.

In this trailer for his newest project, “The Phoenician Scheme”, it’s quite evident that Wes Anderson is the director. Each frame carries his unique visual style, and the dialogue, with its distinctive dry and precise delivery, is also characteristic of him.

Watch the trailer for The Phoenician Scheme below:

I’m quite fond of the concept of Michael Cera starring in a Wes Anderson film. Additionally, there’s an intriguing dynamic between Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston. Moreover, Benicio del Toro, an exceptionally talented actor who often seems underutilized, could have a substantial role in this project. Interestingly, in an old interview, Anderson hinted that del Toro would be featured prominently throughout the film, appearing in almost every frame (and indeed, he appears frequently in the trailer).

Here is the film’s official synopsis (which is really more of a cast list):

Benicio del Toro portrays Zsa-zsa Korda, one of Europe‘s wealthiest individuals; Mia Threapleton takes on the role of Liesl, his daughter/nun; Michael Cera is cast as Bjorn, their tutor. The ensemble also includes Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis in various roles.

The Phoenician Scheme is scheduled to open in theaters on May 30.

The 10 Funniest Movies of the Last Ten Years (2015-2024)

10. The Trip to Spain (2017)

There’s nothing quite as hilarious and thought-provoking as the ongoing comedy series, “The Trip,” a long-running travelogue created by writer/director Michael Winterbottom featuring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. In each episode, these actors portray fictionalized versions of themselves on gastronomic journeys through various regions. They taste local cuisines, reflect on their personal lives and careers, and engage in a perpetual contest to determine the ultimate Michael Caine impersonator. While the series has always been funny, it has evolved over time to explore deeper themes as Steve and Rob grapple with mortality and professional setbacks. If you haven’t seen any of these films before, I highly recommend starting from the beginning, “The Trip,” all the way through to “The Trip to Greece.

9. Blockers (2018)

To demonstrate that traditional Hollywood comedies can still be innovatively done, check out the movie “Blockers,” where the conventional plot of teenagers attempting to lose their virginity on prom night is flipped – this time focusing more on the worried parents (Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena) rather than the high school students (Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Gideon Adlon). The script offers a fresh take on an awkward sex comedy, and it’s skillfully brought to life by a talented cast and director Kay Cannon.

8. Good Boys (2019)

The idea of young boys behaving inappropriately might seem like an old trick used to shock viewers who have grown accustomed to such content, especially in teen comedies about immature males. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Good Boys was much funnier and insightful about this chaotic, humorous phase of childhood than expected. The movie offers a blend of crude humor and realistic characters that resonate with a young teen audience. My frequent and boisterous laughter during the film might reflect my own immaturity, but as critic Robert Warshow once said, “A man-child goes to the movies. The critic must be honest enough to admit he is that man-child.

7. Girls Trip (2017)

Blend an exceptional ensemble of comedians, including Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, and particularly Tiffany Haddish, with a journey to New Orleans and an adult-oriented rating, and you’ve got the ingredients for a bawdy, hilarious movie. The film Girls Trip was so amusing that it managed to win a few accolades, with Haddish even earning Best Supporting Actress awards from organizations such as the New York Film Critics Circle. I can assure you: After watching this movie, you’ll never view a grapefruit in the same light again.

6. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

For approximately two years, my eldest daughter was particularly fond of the movie “The LEGO Batman Movie”. We must have watched it countless times during that period. To put it simply, this film ranks among the most entertaining comedies from the last ten years. It is filled with numerous visual jokes, wordplay, and references to lesser-known Batman trivia. Notably, Will Arnett delivers a brilliantly arrogant voice performance as LEGO Batman himself. I’ve watched quite a few children’s movies over the past decade; some entertaining, some not so much. However, “The LEGO Batman Movie” takes the cake for being the funniest one of them all.

5. Jackass Forever (2022)

In simple and conversational language:

The most outrageously funny comedy of the past decade brought together the wittiest and most innovative makers of silly humor for another round of risky stunts and harmless pranks. This time, they even broke a record with the number of male full-frontal scenes in a mainstream Hollywood film! The Jackass crew, now in their 40s and 50s, might not be as agile as before, but they’re funnier than ever. New additions like Rachel Wolfson and Sean “Poopies” McInerney showed they could handle getting stung by scorpions or drenched in disgusting bodily fluids just as well. If this is the last Jackass, they ended on a high note (though it’s easy to be funny after getting hit where it counts!).

4. Game Night (2018)

Game Night, huh? It’s a tale about an ordinary friends’ game night that takes a wild turn into hilarious chaos. Packed with witty humor, standout performances by Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons, and a focus on visuals rarely seen in mainstream Hollywood comedies of late. This film is one that you’ll likely rewatch 100 times after the first viewing.

3. Bad Trip (2021)

The film, titled “Bad Trip“, weaves an impressively authentic narrative around some genuinely outrageous hidden-camera pranks. It features Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery as friends embarking on a road trip to New York, constantly evading Howery’s fugitive sister, portrayed hilariously by Tiffany Haddish, who is nearly as amusing in this movie as she was in “Girls Trip“. The kindness and empathy displayed by the average people they meet along their journey come close to rekindling your belief in humanity. In essence, “Bad Trip ” stands as a remarkable homage to the influence of films in general, and more specifically, to the impact of the film “White Chicks“.

2. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

The film “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” might not have been a box office success (earning only $9.6 million during its entire theater run, which is less than what Battlefield Earth made in just its opening weekend). However, it stands out as unique among films of the last decade because Andy Samberg sings a song about a woman asking for sex that’s as clinically efficient as the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Additionally, Mariah Carey brags about being the most humble person she knows – something you won’t find in many other movies. In essence, “Popstar” is one of the funniest comedies of the century and the polar opposite of the Mona Lisa, which is often overrated and not particularly impressive.

1. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo have returned with their highly anticipated sequel to “Bridesmaids,” delivering an hilarious comedy that finds them playing as two close friends living in a small town named Soft Rock, Nebraska. After losing their jobs at Jennifer Convertibles, they decide to splurge their severance on a luxurious trip to Florida. There, they cross paths with an attractive enigma (Jamie Dornan, humorously skewering his own image as a muscular ladies’ man) who is part of a plan to ruin the town using genetically-modified deadly mosquitoes. (Yes, another classic trope.) Wiig and Mumolo shine in their roles, exploring themes such as Tommy Bahama fashion and the mystique of the name Trish, and the script will be remembered for years to come. In these tough times, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” has arrived like a pair of sequined pants, shining brightly to guide us out of the gloom.

2025-04-07 16:24