The Phoenician Scheme: Everything we know About Wes Anderson’s Star-Studded Espionage Comedy
The first trailer for The Phoenician Scheme has finally arrived—and it’s everything fans of Wes Anderson could’ve hoped for and more. Debuted to thunderous applause at CinemaCon before dropping online, the trailer promises a wildly stylized thrill ride packed with espionage, action, and Anderson’s signature absurdist charm.
While the full plot remains deliberately elusive, the trailer hints at a globe-trotting saga fueled by sharp dialogue, explosive drama, and plenty of unexpected laughs. And yes—Michael Cera is here, somehow stealing scenes in a cast full of A-listers.
Curious about who's in it, what it’s really about, and why the trailer has fans buzzing? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know—from casting secrets to festival speculation and beyond. Keep checking back—we’re updating this guide with every twist, turn, and tantalizing reveal that rolls out.
Release date & Where to Watch
The Phoenician Scheme will debut in select theaters on Friday, May 30, 2025, followed by a nationwide release on Friday, June 6, 2025.
While not yet confirmed, the film is widely expected to premiere earlier that month at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, with an official announcement anticipated on April 10, 2025.
What is the plot of The Phoenician Scheme?
Benicio del Toro leads The Phoenician Scheme as Zsa-zsa Korda, a daring and eccentric millionaire who has survived six plane crashes and amassed immense wealth through his work in armaments and aviation. Described as “one of the richest men in Europe,” Zsa-zsa is the father of ten children, including nine sons and one daughter — Sister Liesl, a nun played by Mia Threapleton (daughter of Kate Winslet).
In an unexpected move, he names Liesl the sole heir to his sprawling empire. Together with Liesl and her tutor, Bjorn Lund, Zsa-zsa embarks on a globe-trotting mission to protect his business empire, the “Korda Land and Sea Phoenician Infrastructure Scheme,” from powerful adversaries aiming to destroy it. Along the way, they cross paths with a colorful lineup of characters, including the mysterious Uncle Nubar and a figure named Excaliber.
Wes Anderson, who first discussed the project with Le Monde in 2023, teased, “My next feature film will be linear, with Benicio Del Toro in every shot. I can’t tell you much more than that except that it will be about espionage, a father-daughter relationship, and, let’s say, with a rather dark tone.”
Who’s Starring in The Phoenician Scheme?
- Benicio del Toro (The French Dispatch) as Zsa-zsa Korda
- Mia Threapleton (Firebrand) as Sister Liesel
- Michael Cera (Barbie) as Bjorn Lund
- Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) as Uncle Nubar
- Rupert Friend (The American Society of Magical Negroes) as Excaliber
- Tom Hanks (A Man Called Otto) as Leland
- Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Pale Blue Eye) as 1st Wife
- Scarlett Johansson (Jurassic World Rebirth) as Cousin
- Bryan Cranston (Isle of Dogs) as Reagan
- Riz Ahmed (The Sound of Metal) as Prince Farouk
- Jason Watkins as Notary
- Antonia Desplat as 2nd Wife
- Milo James as Zsa Zsa’s son
- Bill Murray (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)
- Willem Dafoe (Kinds of Kindness)
- Hope Davis (Your Honor)
- Richard Ayoade (The IT Crows)
- Mathieu Amalric (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
- Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)
Is There a Trailer for The Phoenician Scheme?
The trailer for The Phoenician Scheme sets the stage for a wildly stylized, darkly comic tale of espionage, inheritance, and strained family ties. Benicio del Toro stars as Zsa-Zsa Korda, a bruised and bloodied arms dealer who has miraculously survived six plane crashes. A chaotic broadcast declares him dead, calling him “an international businessman, maverick in the fields of armaments and aviation, among the richest men in Europe” — just before he reappears, very much alive.
The trailer highlights the film’s emotional core: the tense relationship between Zsa-Zsa and his estranged daughter, Sister Liesl, a nun with a dagger and an uncertain sense of loyalty. Despite overlooking his nine sons, Zsa-Zsa names her as his sole heir.
In a scene laced with cryptic ambition, he declares: “I’ve appointed you sole heir to my estate…which you may come into sooner rather than later.” Liesl replies, “Why? It's been six years since our last meeting.” He answers, “I've my reasons.” Liesl's steely response “Which are what?” His answer: “My reasons? I’m not saying. I’m saying, I’m not saying.”
A swirl of visuals follows: men in suits conspiring in wood-paneled rooms, a 3-point basketball contest featuring Tom Hanks, and Michael Cera as the family’s tutor, drunkenly flirting with Liesl.
The trailer only hints at the larger scheme — one packed with manipulation, corporate sabotage, and eccentric charm. And though director Wes Anderson reportedly said del Toro is in every scene, the teaser cheekily suggests otherwise, keeping fans guessing as they wait to untangle the full mystery.
When & Where did The Phoenician Scheme film?
Principal photography for The Phoenician Scheme took place at Babelsberg Studio in Germany in early March 2024. The film was shot on 35mm by acclaimed French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, marking his first feature-length collaboration with Wes Anderson.
Behind the Scenes
Wes Anderson’s upcoming film The Phoenician Scheme is billed as an espionage thriller and marks his 13th feature as a director. Co-written with longtime collaborator Roman Coppola, the story was filmed in Germany and is a U.S.–Germany international co-production, with Studio Babelsberg also on board.
The film was produced by Anderson’s American Empirical Pictures alongside Steven Rales’ Indian Paintbrush, with Jeremy Dawson and John Peet also producing. Focus Features acquired worldwide rights in February 2025 and will release the film theatrically this May, while Universal Pictures will handle international distribution.
Composer Alexandre Desplat, a frequent Anderson collaborator, returns to score the film. Reflecting on his distinct visual style, Anderson shared in 2023: “The one thing I never think about, really, when I’m making a film is myself or my own style, my voice. I think about what’s new for this movie, how do I make this movie the best it can be, how do I get the greatest collaborators together. And yet every time I make a movie, the first thing people say is: ‘You can sure tell who made this one!’” (via Variety)
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