Wikipedia

The Phoenician Scheme

The Phoenician Scheme is an upcoming espionage black comedy film[2] produced, written and directed by Wes Anderson from a story he conceived with Roman Coppola. The film will feature an ensemble cast including Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis. An international co-production between the United States and Germany, it will be produced by Anderson's company American Empirical Pictures and Steven Rales's company Indian Paintbrush.

The Phoenician Scheme
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWes Anderson
Screenplay byWes Anderson
Story by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBruno Delbonnel
Edited byBarney Pilling
Music byAlexandre Desplat
Production
companies
Distributed byFocus Features (United States)
Universal Pictures (International)
Release dates
  • May 2025 (2025-05) (Cannes)
  • May 30, 2025 (2025-05-30)
Running time
101 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United States
  • Germany
LanguageEnglish

Anderson talked about the film in June 2023 while promoting Asteroid City; he said it had already been written before the 2023 WGA strike began. That September, he revealed that del Toro and Cera were planned to join the cast, and he hoped to begin filming soon after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike ended. The rest of the cast signed on between January and June 2024. Filming took place at Babelsberg Studio in Germany, between March and June 2024, with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel. Frequent Anderson collaborator Alexandre Desplat returned to compose the score.

The Phoenician Scheme will premiere in the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival,[3] before being released theatrically in the United States on May 30, 2025.

Premise

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Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.

Cast

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Production

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Michael Cera and Benicio del Toro were the first cast members rumored to be part of Wes Anderson's next film in May 2023.[4][5] Anderson first talked about the film in June 2023 while promoting Asteroid City, calling it a "three-hander" adventure and saying that it had already been written before the 2023 WGA strike began,[6] working with Roman Coppola.[7] He confirmed del Toro's involvement saying that the film would feature him in every shot, and that the film involved a father-daughter relationship in a dark espionage tale.[8] In September, Anderson confirmed that Cera was planned to feature alongside del Toro in the film, and he hoped to begin filming soon after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was over.[7] Bill Murray, Mia Threapleton, and Riz Ahmed were announced as part of the cast in 2024.[9][10][11] Longtime collaborating producer Steven Rales and his company Indian Paintbrush are also working on the film.[12]

Principal photography began on March 12, 2024, at Babelsberg Studio in Germany, and wrapped on June 3 of the same year.[13][14] French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel shot on 35mm film, marking his first feature-length collaboration with Anderson.[15] Alexandre Desplat returns to compose the score, his seventh collaboration with Anderson.[16]

The rest of the cast was announced on June 6, 2024, including Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Willem Dafoe, Bryan Cranston, Mia Threapleton, Tonio Arango, Imke Büchel, Imad Mardnli, Jaime Ferkic, Antonia Desplat, Aysha Samuel, and Sabine Hollweck.[17] With the announcement of the release date, it was revealed that Mathieu Amalric and Jeffrey Wright joined the cast.[18]

Release

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In February 2025, Focus Features acquired worldwide rights to the film, with its parent Universal Pictures handling international distribution. The Phoenician Scheme is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on May 30, 2025.[18] In April 2025, the film was confirmed to be competing for the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival scheduled for May 2025.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "The Phoenician Scheme (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme' to Start Filming in April". World of Reel. January 11, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. April 10, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Girolamo, Dan (May 12, 2023). "Michael Cera Joins Wes Anderson's Next Movie Cast". ComingSoon.net. Evolve Media.
  5. ^ Paz, Maggie Dela (May 20, 2023). "Benicio del Toro Joins Wes Anderson's Next Movie Cast". ComingSoon.net. Evolve Media.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 14, 2023). "Wes Anderson On Building Asteroid City, His Next 'Three-Hander' Film & Working Again With Bill Murray – Crew Call Podcast". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  7. ^ a b Wise, Damon (September 18, 2023). "Wes Anderson Talks About Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Teases His Next Movie, And Claims: "I Don't Have An Aesthetic"". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  8. ^ Fuge, Jonathan (June 26, 2023). "Wes Anderson's Next Movie Is a Dark Espionage Tale With Benicio del Toro Featuring in Every Shot". MovieWeb. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 11, 2024). "Wes Anderson Sets Bill Murray, Michael Cera & Benicio Del Toro for Next Feature". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  10. ^ Griffiths, Emmy (April 6, 2024). "Did you spot Kate Winslet's famous daughter Mia Threapleton in Scoop?". Hello!. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Kit, Borys (April 16, 2024). "Riz Ahmed Joins Wes Anderson's Latest Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation.
  12. ^ Matt, Grobar (March 11, 2024). "Wes Anderson Shares Why He Was Absent From Oscars & What He Would've Said Following Win For Netflix Short The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Calnan, Ellie (March 12, 2024). "Wes Anderson shooting new film The Phoenician Scheme in Germany". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  14. ^ Ruimy, Jordan (June 6, 2024). "Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme' Adds Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more". worldofreel.com.
  15. ^ Desowitz, Bill (March 12, 2025). "20 Movies Shot on Film in 2025: Separate Safdie Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  16. ^ "Alexandre Desplat Scoring Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme". Film Music Reporter. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  17. ^ Pearce, Leonard (June 6, 2024). "Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme Adds Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, Charlotte Gainsbourg & More". The Film Stage.
  18. ^ a b Lang, Brent (February 11, 2025). "Wes Anderson's Next Film 'The Phoenician Scheme' Gets May Release Date, Focus Features to Distribute". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  19. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Shafer, Ellise (April 10, 2025). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
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