The Phoenician Scheme Arrives: Everything You Need to Know About Wes Anderson's Latest Big Movie

If you are a fan of movies that look like no other then you are probably counting down the minutes until The Phoenician Scheme hits theaters. Wes Anderson's latest film recently made a splash at its New York premiere and it sounds exactly like the kind of movie we expect from him. It has a huge cast, a wild story, and all those special little details that make his work so memorable. I am certainly excited to see what he has cooked up this time.

The premiere was a big event. The sprawling cast walked the carpet. Benicio del Toro, Bryan Cranston, Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Hanks were all there. Mia Threapleton, who has a big role, also walked. Jazz at Lincoln Square was packed for the screening. The crowd was full of Anderson’s many friends and people he has worked with before. It sounds like a fantastic night for movie fans.

This night was particularly special for Mia Threapleton. Her part in the film is her first starring role in a major movie. She is only 24 years old. She remembers feeling nervous before meeting Anderson for the first time. She told Variety about it. "Then he opened the door and said ‘Hello!’ and gave me a hug," she said. "He was wearing hotel slippers and pink socks and I was like ‘Oh you’re not scary, you’re not a dragon, you’re not gonna eat me!'" This little story makes Anderson sound exactly like his movies. He seems warm and welcoming even in the face of nerves.

A Look At The Incredible Cast And The Story At The Heart Of The Phoenician Scheme

Benicio Del Toro Leads A Star-Filled Group In Wes Anderson's Latest Cinematic Journey

Mia Threapleton, who is Kate Winslet’s daughter, proves she can shine. She plays del Toro’s daughter, a nun called Sister Liesel. She holds her own alongside actors who have worked with Anderson before. Bryan Cranston, who was in Anderson’s Isle of the Dogs and Asteroid City, commented on Anderson's storytelling. He said it is impossible to know where it will go. "He is so unique, he is such an auteur, that you just have to buy in, put the seatbelt on and go for the ride." That sounds like exactly the kind of movie I want to experience. It is a full package of something you can just get lost in.

The movie is a wild 90-minute ride. It stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, a very rich European businessman. Threapleton plays his daughter, Sister Liesel. Michael Cera makes his first appearance in an Anderson film as her tutor, Bjorn Lund. The movie also features Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Riz Ahmed, F. Murray Abraham, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Bill Murray. That is truly a group of many talented actors. It shows how much people want to work with Anderson. It also means there will be many interesting characters to follow in the story.

After the screening, people went to a fancy after-party. It was at the Metropolitan Club. There were crystal chandeliers and high ceilings. Celebrities like Jon Hamm, Ari Aster, Steve Buscemi, and Sean Baker were there. They drank special Zsa-Zsa cocktails late into the night. It is no surprise that many people showed up, even on a weeknight. Threapleton said of Anderson, "He leads with a lot of love." She added that everyone feels very comfortable around him. People keep coming back because they love him and he loves them. This sense of loyalty and family behind the scenes often shows up in his movies too.

Small Details That Make Wes Anderson's Movies A Unique Experience

From Silver Pendants To Special Sunglasses, The World of The Phoenician Scheme Is Built With Care

One of the most interesting small details about The Phoenician Scheme is a special piece of merchandise. A hand grenade pendant is being sold. It is based on a key prop from the film. What makes it special is that it is made from silver collected from the film itself. When 35mm film is processed, it has many tiny silver crystals in it. A company called From The Silver Screen takes this silver. They turn it into fancy jewelry. This pendant is limited to only 100 pieces because there is only a certain amount of this silver. Each piece is finished by hand and has a serial number engraved. It truly is a piece of film history. Wes Anderson himself approved the idea and the design. He even got the first pendant after the movie’s premiere at Cannes.

This idea for jewelry came about in 2021. The founders were at Pinewood Studios. They were surprised to learn that silver is a byproduct of film processing. They were even more surprised to hear that this silver was usually lost to the silver trade, losing all its connection to movies. They wanted the silver to keep its story. They decided to make something so film fans could wear a piece of their favorite movie, assuming it was shot on film. They created a way to get the silver ethically. They make the jewelry by hand in London. Each piece has a mark from the Goldsmith’s Company Assay Office. This proves its quality and origin. As far as they know, no one else is doing this. It is the first jewelry collection that can trace its silver back to a single film title. This combines careful design with movie storytelling.

Another specific detail comes from Benicio del Toro’s costumes. Oliver Peoples, an eyewear company, designed custom sunglasses for his character. To celebrate the film's release, they made a limited number of these sunglasses for collectors. There are only ten Premiere Edition pairs. Each pair is made by hand in Italy. They come in special packaging that fits the movie’s old-school look. Anderson said he imagined Benicio del Toro as a European business leader. He saw him wearing these specific sunglasses. Stills from the movie show del Toro wearing the stylish vintage-style glasses. They have tortoise-colored frames. They even have gold rivets on the edges of the frame. The inside of the temple has a metal number for the Premiere Edition. These little touches show how much thought goes into Anderson's films and their overall appearance.

Changes Behind The Camera And The Film's Release Plans

New Cinematography And Writing Collaborations Shape Anderson's Latest Project

Wes Anderson wrote the script for The Phoenician Scheme himself. He came up with the story with Roman Coppola. Coppola has worked with Anderson many times before. He is credited on the script for The Darjeeling Limited and also helped with Isle of Dogs, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City. His last full co-writing credit with Anderson was for 2012's Moonrise Kingdom. That script was even nominated for a big award. So while Anderson writes alone, he often relies on others for the initial story ideas. This method seems to work very well for him.

One important change for this film is that Anderson did not work with his usual cinematographer, Robert Yeoman. Instead, French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel shot The Phoenician Scheme. Delbonnel has worked on films like Across the Universe and Inside Llewyn Davis. This change in who shoots the movie could mean a slightly different visual style. Even with a new person behind the camera, I am sure Anderson’s distinct visual flair will still be present. Alexandre Desplat, who has scored six of Anderson’s movies, was also part of the team. So some familiar faces are still around making sure the movie feels right.

The film is set to have a limited release on May 30. Then, it will open nationwide on June 6. Focus Features is handling its distribution. This staggered release means some people will get to see it a little earlier than others. But eventually, everyone will have a chance to experience this new movie from Wes Anderson. It has been a while since we have seen a new big movie from him. I think fans will be very excited for its arrival. Given all the interesting details and the strong cast, it sounds like it will be a fun experience for everyone.