Written by Kianna Best on Apr 24, 2025. Posted in Awards and Festivals / Production News

The Phoenician Scheme: Wes Anderson’s Star-Studded Return to Cannes

Wes Anderson returns to Cannes with The Phoenician Scheme, a stylish espionage comedy featuring Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera. Set against the backdrop of a wealthy family's entanglement in international intrigue, the film showcases Anderson's signature visual flair. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, it marks another milestone in Anderson's celebrated history with the event.

Benicio Del Toro stars as Zsa-Zsa Korda in director Wes Anderson's THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

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Wes Anderson is set to make a grand return to the Cannes Film Festival with his latest creation, The Phoenician Scheme. This marks Anderson's fourth film to premiere at Cannes, following The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), and Asteroid City (2023). His consistent presence at the festival underscores his status as a beloved auteur in contemporary cinema.

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The Phoenician Scheme is a comedic espionage thriller that delves into the complexities of a wealthy European family. Benicio del Toro stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, a millionaire with a penchant for adventure and a history of surviving six plane crashes. Mia Threapleton portrays his daughter, Sister Liesl, a nun entangled in her father's affairs, while Michael Cera plays their tutor, Bjorn Lund. The ensemble cast is rounded out by Anderson regulars and newcomers alike, including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Riz Ahmed, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis .​

(L to R) Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda and Mia Threapleton as Liesl in director Wes Anderson's THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

The film was co-written by Anderson and longtime collaborator Roman Coppola, with whom he previously worked on Moonrise Kingdom and The Darjeeling Limited. Filming took place at Studio Babelsberg in Germany between March and June 2024, with cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel and a score composed by Alexandre Desplat, marking his seventh collaboration with Anderson .​

The Phoenician Scheme is set to premiere in the main competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which runs from 13 to 24 May . Following its festival debut, the film will have a limited theatrical release in the United States on 30 May, with a wider release on June 6. UK audiences can expect the film to hit cinemas on 30 May as well .​

(L to R) Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda, Michael Cera as Bjorn and Mia Threapleton as Liesl in director Wes Anderson's THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.