If you thought Wes Anderson's hyper-stylized worlds couldn't get any more intricate, The Phoenician Scheme just proved you wrong. The trailer—dropped by Focus Features—reveals a globe-trotting spy thriller wrapped in pastel hues, symmetrical frames, and an absurdly stacked cast. Benicio Del Toro as a billionaire? Tom Hanks in a Wes Anderson joint? Boom. Let's dissect this.
The Cast: A Who's Who of Hollywood (Taking Pay Cuts, Probably)
Anderson's films have always attracted big names willing to work for scale, but this lineup is obscene:
- Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, Europe's wealthiest man.
- Mia Threapleton as his daughter, Sister Liesl (yes, Sister—this is Anderson, after all).
- Michael Cera as her tutor, because of course.
- Plus: Scarlett Johansson, Riz Ahmed, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bryan Cranston, and—wait for it—Tom Hanks making his Anderson debut.
This isn't a cast; it's a flex.
Tenenbaums Meets Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The trailer teases deadpan dialogue, sudden violence, and the usual Andersonian quirks—but with a spy thriller twist. Think:
- Slow-motion shootouts in meticulously arranged hotel lobbies.
- Whispered conspiracies over pastel-colored cocktails.
- A father-daughter dynamic that's equal parts touching and bizarre.
It's The Grand Budapest Hotel with more passports and fewer pastries.
A Long-Gestating Passion Project
Co-written with Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited), the script has apparently been sitting in Anderson's drawer since the late 2000s. And despite rumors that cinematographer Robert Yeoman (Budapest, Asteroid City) wouldn't return, he's back—meaning those signature diorama-like frames are intact.
Why This Feels Different (And Why It Doesn't)
Anderson's last film, Asteroid City, divided fans—some called it his most self-indulgent, others his most poetic. The Phoenician Scheme seems to split the difference:
✅ Familiar: Symmetrical shots, dry humor, an ensemble cast.
🔥 New: Espionage, international intrigue, Tom Hanks in a possibly villainous role?
Will It Work?
Anderson's films are like bespoke suits—exquisitely tailored, not for everyone. But with this cast and genre twist, The Phoenician Scheme might just be his most accessible yet. Or his weirdest. Either way, we're in.
