Wes Anderson’s latest project, The Phoenician Scheme, is scheduled for a limited release on May 30, 2025, before expanding to a wider audience on June 6. Set in 1940s Europe, the film weaves a story of family conflict within the world of espionage. The ensemble cast includes Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, and a range of returning Anderson collaborators.
Del Toro plays Zsa-zsa Korda, a wealthy and influential businessman, while Threapleton portrays his daughter, Sister Liesel, a nun caught up in her father’s complex world. Cera will take on the role of Liesel’s tutor, Bjorn Lund. The film also stars Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, and Riz Ahmed, with appearances by other regulars such as Bill Murray and Willem Dafoe.
Shot at Babelsburg Studios in Germany, the same location used for The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs, the film presents Anderson’s trademark visual style, combined with new creative partnerships. French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, known for his work on Inside Llewyn Davis and Darkest Hour, replaces Robert Yeoman as the film’s director of photography. Alexandre Desplat, who has previously composed scores for Anderson’s films, returns to create the film’s music.
Anderson co-wrote the screenplay with his longtime collaborator Roman Coppola. Their previous work together includes Moonrise Kingdom and The French Dispatch. The pair’s collaboration on The Phoenician Scheme further reflects Anderson’s ongoing exploration of family dynamics and complex relationships.
The Phoenician Scheme is expected to be part of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival lineup, with Focus Features distributing the film in the U.S. and Universal Pictures handling international releases.
