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Tag: The French Dispatch

Best Jeffrey Wright Movies

Jeffrey Wright in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

For over 30 years Jeffrey Wright has been delivering complex and compelling performances on screen.

The actor first gained attention for his title role in ‘Basquiat,’ and since has appeared in such popular movies as ‘Shaft,’ ‘Ali,’ ‘Syriana,’ ‘The French Dispatch,’ ‘The Batman,’ Daniel Craig‘s James Bond series, and ‘The Hunger Games‘ franchise.

Recently he has appeared in Wes Anderson‘s ‘Asteroid City,’ Netflix‘s ‘Rustin,’ and ‘American Fiction,’ for which he has received an Oscar-nomination for Best Actor.

His latest film, ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘, which pairs him with Denzel Washington and director Spike Lee, opens in theaters on August 15th before being available to stream on Apple TV+ on September 5th.
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In honor of his new film, Moviefone is counting down the 25 best movies of Jeffrey Wright’s long and impressive career, including ‘Highest 2 Lowest’.

Let’s begin!

25. ‘Quantum of Solace‘ (2008)

(L to R) David Harbour and Jeffrey Wright in ‘Quantum of Solace’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Quantum of Solace continues the adventures of James Bond (Daniel Craig) after ‘Casino Royale.’ Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Judy Dench) interrogate Mr. White, who reveals that the organization that blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.
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24. ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1‘ (2014)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.
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23. ‘The Manchurian Candidate‘ (2004)

Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco (Denzel Washington) finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco’s doubts deepen, Shaw’s political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the memory of what really happened begins to return.
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22. ‘Lady in the Water‘ (2006)

Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues what he thinks is a young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.
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21. ‘W.‘ (2008)

The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush (Josh Brolin), his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith—and the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.
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20. ‘Source Code‘ (2011)

Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Rutledge in ‘Source Code.’ Photo: Summit Entertainment.

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.
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19. ‘Broken City‘ (2013)

In a broken city rife with injustice, ex-cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) seeks redemption and revenge after being double-crossed and then framed by its most powerful figure, the mayor (Russell Crowe). Billy’s relentless pursuit of justice, matched only by his streetwise toughness, makes him an unstoppable force – and the mayor’s worst nightmare.
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18. ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2‘ (2015)

With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) confronts President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.
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17. ‘The Laundromat‘ (2019)

When her idyllic vacation takes an unthinkable turn, Ellen Martin (Meryl Streep) begins investigating a fake insurance policy, only to find herself down a rabbit hole of questionable dealings that can be linked to a Panama City law firm and its vested interest in helping the world’s wealthiest citizens amass larger fortunes.
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16. ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ (2013)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.
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15. ‘Asteroid City‘ (2023)

(L to R) Fisher Stevens, Jeffrey Wright, Tony Revolori, and Bob Balaban in director Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features.

The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.
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14. ‘Syriana‘ (2005)

The Middle Eastern oil industry is the backdrop of this tense drama, which weaves together numerous story lines. Bennett Holiday (Wright) is an American lawyer in charge of facilitating a dubious merger of oil companies, while Bryan Woodman (Matt Damon), a Switzerland-based energy analyst, experiences both personal tragedy and opportunity during a visit with Arabian royalty. Meanwhile, veteran CIA agent Bob Barnes (George Clooney) uncovers an assassination plot with unsettling origins.
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13. ‘O.G.‘ (2018)

Louis Menkins (Wright) is five weeks away from being released after 26 years in prison. He is faced with the decision to put his own release at risk in order to protect a young man named Beecher from growing gang controversies.
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12. ‘The Ides of March‘ (2011)

Dirty tricks stand to soil an ambitious young press spokesman’s (Ryan Gosling) idealism in a cutthroat presidential campaign where ‘victory’ is relative.
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11. ‘No Time to Die‘ (2021)

Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter (Wright) from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
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10. ‘Shaft‘ (2000)

(L to R) Samuel L. Jackson and Jeffrey Wright in 2000’s ‘Shaft’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

New York police detective John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) arrests Walter Wade Jr. (Christian Bale) for a racially motivated slaying. But the only eyewitness disappears, and Wade jumps bail for Switzerland. Two years later Wade returns to face trial, confident his money and influence will get him acquitted — especially since he’s paid a drug kingpin (Wright) to kill the witness.
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9. ‘Ali‘ (2001)

In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay (Will Smith). Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali’s personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.
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8. ‘Only Lovers Left Alive‘ (2014)

A depressed musician (Tom Hiddleston) reunites with his lover (Tilda Swinton) in the desolate streets of Detroit. Though their romance has endured several centuries, it is tested by the arrival of her capricious and unpredictable younger sister (Mia Wasikowska).
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7. ‘The French Dispatch‘ (2021)

The staff of an American magazine based in France puts out its last issue, with stories featuring an artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student riots, and a kidnapping resolved by a chef.
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6. ‘Rustin‘ (2023)

Activist Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo) faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.
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5. ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘ (2025)

Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

When a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
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4. ‘Basquiat‘ (1996)

The brief life of Jean Michel Basquiat (Wright), a world renowned New York street artist struggling with fame, drugs and his identity.
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3. ‘Casino Royale‘ (2006)

Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker to the world’s terrorists, is scheduled to participate in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, where he intends to use his winnings to establish his financial grip on the terrorist market. M (Judi Dench) sends Bond (Daniel Craig) on his maiden mission as a 00 Agent—to attend this game and prevent Le Chiffre from winning. With the help of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) and Felix Leiter (Wright), Bond enters the most important poker game in his already dangerous career.
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2. ‘The Batman‘ (2022)

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman,’ starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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1. ‘American Fiction‘ (2023)

Jeffrey Wright stars as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in writer/director Cord Jefferson’s ‘American Fiction,’ an Orion Pictures Release. Photo credit: Claire Folger. © 2023 Orion Releasing LLC. All Rights Reserved.

‘American Fiction’ is Cord Jefferson’s hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
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October 5, 2025
Every Wes Anderson Movie, Ranked

Director Wes Anderson on the set of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Filmmaker Wes Anderson is one of the most visionary and unique directors of his generation.

Anderson’s comedies are known for their specific direction, fantastic production design, and unique musical choices, as well as his ensemble cast of frequent collaborators that include Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Angelica Huston, Adrien Brody, Tony Revolori, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, Benicio del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston and many more.

In honor of Anderson’s new movie, ‘The Phoenician Scheme‘, which opens in select theaters on May 30th before opening wide on June 6th, Moviefone is counting down every film of Wes Anderson’s impressive career, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

13. ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More‘ (2024)

Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar in ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More.’ Photo: Netflix ©2023.

Four tales unfold in Wes Anderson’s anthology of short films adapted from Roald Dahl‘s beloved stories, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”, “The Swan”, “The Rat Catcher”, and “Poison”.
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12. ‘The Darjeeling Limited‘ (2007)

(L to R) Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody and Owen Wilson in ‘The Darjeeling Limited’. Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Three American brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other — to become brothers again like they used to be. Their “spiritual quest”, however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray).
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11. ‘Bottle Rocket‘ (1996)

(L to R) Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson in ‘Bottle Rocket’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Upon his release from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, the directionless Anthony (Luke Wilson) joins his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson), who seems far less sane than the former. Dignan has hatched a hair-brained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the (supposedly) legendary Mr. Henry (James Caan).
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10. ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou‘ (2004)

The cast of ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) has sworn vengeance upon the rare shark that devoured a member of his crew. In addition to his regular team, he is joined on his boat by Ned (Owen Wilson), a man who believes Zissou to be his father, and Jane (Cate Blanchett), a journalist pregnant by a married man. They travel the sea, all too often running into pirates and, perhaps more traumatically, various figures from Zissou’s past, including his estranged wife, Eleanor (Anjelica Huston).
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9. ‘Asteroid City‘ (2023)

(L to R) Jake Ryan, Jason Schwartzman and Tom Hanks in director Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features.

The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.
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8. ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)

A scene from ‘Isle of Dogs’. Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

In the future, an outbreak of canine flu leads the mayor of a Japanese city to banish all dogs to an island that’s a garbage dump. The outcasts must soon embark on an epic journey when a 12-year-old boy (Koyu Rankin) arrives on the island to find his beloved pet.
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7. ‘Rushmore‘ (1998)

(L to R) Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman in ‘Rushmore’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

When a beautiful first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams) arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of an ambitious teenager named Max (Jason Schwartzman), who quickly falls in love with her. Max turns to the father (Bill Murray) of two of his schoolmates for advice on how to woo the teacher. However, the situation soon gets complicated when Max’s new friend becomes involved with her, setting the two pals against one another in a war for her attention.
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6. ‘Moonrise Kingdom‘ (2012)

(L to R) Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis and Edward Norton in ‘Moonrise Kingdom’. Photo: Focus Features.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.
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5. ‘The Phoenician Scheme‘ (2025)

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.

The story of a family and a family business. Starring Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera.
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4. ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel‘ (2014)

Ralph Fiennes stars in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge (Ralph Fiennes) at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee (Tony Revolori) who becomes his trusted protégé. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for an enormous family fortune and the slow and then sudden upheavals that transformed Europe during the first half of the 20th century.
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3. ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)

George Clooney as Mr. Fox in ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (George Clooney) bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers (Michael Gambon, Robin Hurlstone, and Hugo Guinness). The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.
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2. ‘The French Dispatch‘ (2021)

(L to R) Bencio del Toro and Léa Seydoux in ‘The French Dispatch’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.

The staff of an American magazine based in France puts out its last issue, with stories featuring an artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student riots, and a kidnapping resolved by a chef.
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1. ‘The Royal Tenenbaums‘ (2001)

The cast of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and his wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) had three children (Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Luke Wilson) and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary — all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father’s fault. “The Royal Tenenbaums” is the story of the family’s sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
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June 8, 2025
‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Interview: Benicio del Toro and Cast
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‘The Phoenician Scheme’, which is the latest film from visionary director Wes Anderson (‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’), opens in select theaters on May 30th before opening wide on June 6th.

The movie stars returning Anderson collaborators Benicio del Toro (‘The French Dispatch’), Tom Hanks (‘Asteroid City’), Bryan Cranston (‘Isle of Dogs’), Jeffrey Wright (‘The French Dispatch’), Scarlett Johansson (‘Asteroid City’), Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’), Willem Dafoe (‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’), and Bill Murray (‘Rushmore’), as well as first time Anderson actors Mia Threapleton (‘The Buccaneers’), Michael Cera (‘Superbad’), and Riz Ahmed (‘Sound of Metal’).

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’

(L to R) Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera star in ‘The Phoenician Scheme’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton about their work on ‘The Phoenician Scheme’. Del Toro discussed his experience reuniting with director Wes Anderson and what he enjoys about working with him, while Cera talked about what it was like to join Wes Anderson’s company of actors and explore the unique worlds he creates on screen, and Threapleton discussed her character’s estranged relationship with her father and why she accompanies him on his journey.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

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.

Moviefone: To begin with, Benicio, can you talk about reuniting with director Wes Anderson after ‘The French Dispatch’ and what do you enjoy about working with him?

Benicio del Toro: Well, I enjoy everything, especially the final product. But the character for ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ is a much more challenging character, full of contradictions, with a hell of an arc that it required a lot of motivation to say the least. It kept me up at night, put it that way, to make sure that I deliver what needs to be delivered day in, day out. But I think that Wes’s foundation as a filmmaker, aside from the fact of the visionary he is, also, he’s an incredible writer. He really is. We were talking about this. The script reads like a novel. You could publish it and it would read like a novel. Usually, I get many scripts, I’ve done many movies, and in many of them, I create the backstory of my character. Here, I think you get the backstory of all our characters that have arcs. Michael’s, Mia’s and me, we all have arcs, but we also get the backstory, which it reads like a novel would do that. So, I think that’s the thing that makes Wes’s projects for me so powerful, beyond just a comedy or a beautiful story. Something that his movies always have, is that you can touch them, but the foundation is a story and the writing, and I think that’s really one of his strengths.

(L to R) 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.

MF: Michael, what was it like for you to join Wes Anderson’s company of actors and have an opportunity to explore the unique worlds he creates on screen?

Michael Cera: It’s such a wonderful group to join. Wes just populates his productions with the most amazing people you can think of, and Mia included in that. It’s so much fun to come in. It’s always an exciting thing about jumping into a project that has this caliber of people working on it, and yeah, the worlds are just so much fun. This movie is an anthology in a way where it’s like the three of us are this unit that hop from story to story, and each one of those was brought to life by the various guest players that would come in for that week or two weeks to work on their sequence and inject a whole new energy and atmosphere into the movie. It was just amazing, and it’s great seeing those people show up and bring that character to life in front of your eyes too, and see what they look like suddenly, and sound like.

(L to R) Mia Threapleton as Liesl and Benicio Del Toro 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.

MF: Finally, Mia, can you talk about Sister Liesl’s estranged relationship with her father and why she decides to help him on his journey?

Mia Threapleton: I think when we meet her, she has her own reasons for agreeing to meet with him, which are not just because she’s been invited, but she has a lot of unanswered, long time burning questions. Because he’s invited her, I think she realizes, “Okay, he wants something from me. Well, I will acquiesce to this, but I can also get him to give me the answers that I want as well.” So, it’s a little bit like a business negotiation initially, and then by the end of that conversation, I think she realizes, “Okay, actually this is a lot larger than I thought that it was going to be, and maybe he can give me more answers over time. Maybe I’ll find out more information.” I think because of her upbringing within a convent, she literally says it. “I forgive you. We’re taught to.” So, I think there is this forgiving side of her, but I also think that she sees that he is very complex and complicated and wants to understand that more. But perhaps that’s one of the many reasons why she decides to stick it out with this rapscallion, if you will.
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What is the plot of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’?

Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton), 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.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Phoenician Scheme?
- Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda
- Mia Threapleton as Sister Liesl
- Michael Cera as Bjørn Lund
- Riz Ahmed as Prince Farouk
- Tom Hanks as Leland
- Bryan Cranston as Reagan
- Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob
- Richard Ayoade as Sergio
- Jeffrey Wright as Marty
- Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar
- Rupert Friend as Excaliber
- Hope Davis as Mother Superior
- Bill Murray as God
- Charlotte Gainsbourg as 1st Wife
- Willem Dafoe as Knave
- F. Murray Abraham as Prophet
(L to R) Actor Mathieu Amalric, director Wes Anderson, actors Mia Threapleton and Benicio Del Toro during the production of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

List of Wes Anderson Movies:
- ‘Bottle Rocket‘ (1996)
- ‘Rushmore‘ (1999)
- ‘The Royal Tenenbaums‘ (2002)
- ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou‘ (2004)
- ‘The Darjeeling Limited‘ (2007)
- ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)
- ‘Moonrise Kingdom‘ (2012)
- ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel‘ (2014)
- ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)
- ‘The French Dispatch‘ (2021)
- ‘Asteroid City‘ (2023)
- ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar‘ (2023)
- ‘The Phoenician Scheme‘ (2025)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Wes Anderson Movies on Amazon
May 29, 2025
Movie Review: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’
(L to R) Mia Threapleton as Liesl and Benicio Del Toro 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.

‘The Phoenician Scheme’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

Opening in select theaters on May 30th before opening wide on June 6th is the latest film from visionary director Wes Anderson (‘The Royal Tenenbaums’) entitled ‘The Phoenician Scheme’.

The movie stars returning Anderson collaborators Benicio del Toro (‘The French Dispatch’), Tom Hanks (‘Asteroid City’), Bryan Cranston (‘Isle of Dogs’), Jeffrey Wright (‘The French Dispatch’), Scarlett Johansson (‘Asteroid City’), Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’), Willem Dafoe (‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’), and Bill Murray (‘Rushmore’), as well as first time Anderson actors Mia Threapleton (‘The Buccaneers’), Michael Cera (‘Superbad’), and Riz Ahmed (‘Sound of Metal’).

Related Article: 10 Things We Learned at the ’Asteroid City’ Virtual Press Conference

Initial Thoughts

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.

After being disappointed by his last outing, ‘Asteroid City’, I’m happy to report that director Wes Anderson has returned to form with ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, which is awkwardly funny and gives off ‘Royal Tenenbaums’ vibes. The movie takes full advantage of Anderson’s unique and quirky humor and is beautiful to look at. Each frame is meticulously designed, and is so breathtaking, it’s like watching at a moving painting.

Benicio del Toro gives a commanding performance as notorious businessman and family patriarch Zsa-zsa Korda, while Mia Threapleton is wonderful in her role as Sister Liesl, Korda’s only daughter and heir to his empire. But its actor Michael Cera that gives one of the best performances of his career as the mysterious Bjørn Lund. Cera is perfectly cast in the role and seems born to be in a Wes Anderson film as his own quirky persona fits the filmmaker’s aesthetic like a glove.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Actor Mathieu Amalric, director Wes Anderson, actors Mia Threapleton and Benicio Del Toro during the production of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

The film begins by introducing us to Zsa-zsa Korda (del Toro), a notorious businessman who has survived several assassination attempts. Fearing that his enemies will eventually be successful, Korda summons his only daughter Liesl (Threapleton) who has recently joined a convent and suspects him of killing her mother. Despite having nine young sons, Korda has chosen Liesl to be his heir and take over his empire. Korda believes that his risky new enterprise, will provide for his family for generations to come.

Korda and Sister Liesl embark on a journey to secure the rest of the funds they’ll need for their venture by visiting acquaintances like Leland (Hanks) and Reagan (Cranston), Marty (Wright), Cousin Hilda (Johansson), and eventually Korda’s brother Uncle Nubar (Cumberbatch), who may be Liesl’s real father. They travel with a mysterious young man named Bjørn Lund (Cera), who becomes Korda’s personal assistant and has feelings for Sister Liesl. Along the way Korda survives several attempted assassinations from an opposing group led by Excalibur (Rupert Friend), each time having a near death experience where he goes to heaven and eventually speaks to God (Murray).

Director Wes Anderson on the set of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Wes Anderson’s quirky brand of humor is not for everyone, but it is my favorite type of humor. I love absurdly bizarre situations played dead serious, and no one does that better than Anderson. ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ is my favorite of his films, although I really enjoyed the recent ‘The French Dispatch’, and ‘Phoenician Scheme’ is very similar to ‘Tenenbaums’. Both revolve around an eccentric, arrogant, rich patriarch who struggles with being a father and has delusions of grandeur.

Anderson is a unique and singular director. No one else before him or after has ever made a movie that looks like a Wes Anderson film. Everything you see in a Wes Anderson movie was thought out and meticulously placed. Each frame of his movies is like watching a beautiful moving painting. The gorgeous over the head shot of Korda in a bathtub that runs during the opening credits is a perfect example. Congratulations to Anderson and is production design team for their attention to detail, which makes this film and Anderson’s work in general a visual delight.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Michael Cera as Bjorn, Mia Threapleton as Liesl, Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda, and Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob in director Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

The three leads completely carry the film including del Toro, Threapleton and Cera. Benicio del Toro, who first worked with Anderson on the criminally underrated ‘The French Dispatch’ fits in to Anderson’s world exceedingly well. Here he is commanding, purposely over-the-top at times, but also measured, playing deadpan at the right moments and he has excellent chemistry with Threapleton.

In fact, Mia Threapleton is a revelation in this film, not surprising as her mother is the iconic Kate Winslet, and obviously the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She adapts to Anderson’s style and pacing impressively well, and brings heart and humor to the ridiculous situations her character finds herself in.

Michael Cera, who’s dry delivery was on display in ‘Arrested Development’, ‘Superbad’ and ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’, perfectly fits Anderson’s aesthetic as if the actor was born to be in one of the director’s films. As Bjørn Lund he creates a character that is as likable and sympathetic as he is completely ridiculous. And without giving away any spoilers, the actor is also believable in the character’s surprise turn in the third act.

(L to R) Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda and Benicio Del Toro 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.

The returning cast of “Wes Anderson Players” were all welcomed, even if most of their roles only amounted to glorified cameos. Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks are quite funny as the basketball playing Reagan and Leland, respectively. Jeffrey Wright is equally funny as Marty, electing to adopt a very strange characterization.

Scarlett Johansson, marking her third outing with Anderson, shines like an old school movie star and is excellent in her limited role. Playing the pivotal character of Uncle Nubar, Benedict Cumberbatch is fine but perhaps not as intimidating as the role calls for. Richard Ayoade is very funny as revolutionist Sergio, and Anderson mainstay Bill Murray gives a very dry but hilarious performance as God, of course.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) 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.

While Wes Anderson’s movies might not be for everyone, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ is one of his better recent films and is reminiscent of perhaps his greatest movie, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’. Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera, and Mia Threapleton all give excellent performances, surrounded by a marvelous cast of frequent Anderson collaborators. If you like meticulously beautiful and absurdly funny movies, then this one is for you.
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What is the plot of ‘The Phoenician Scheme’?

Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton), 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.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Phoenician Scheme?
- Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda
- Mia Threapleton as Sister Liesl
- Michael Cera as Bjørn Lund
- Riz Ahmed as Prince Farouk
- Tom Hanks as Leland
- Bryan Cranston as Reagan
- Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob
- Richard Ayoade as Sergio
- Jeffrey Wright as Marty
- Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar
- Rupert Friend as Excaliber
- Hope Davis as Mother Superior
- Bill Murray as God
- Charlotte Gainsbourg as 1st Wife
- Willem Dafoe as Knave
- F. Murray Abraham as Prophet
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.

List of Wes Anderson Movies:
- ‘Bottle Rocket‘ (1996)
- ‘Rushmore‘ (1999)
- ‘The Royal Tenenbaums‘ (2002)
- ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou‘ (2004)
- ‘The Darjeeling Limited‘ (2007)
- ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)
- ‘Moonrise Kingdom‘ (2012)
- ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel‘ (2014)
- ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)
- ‘The French Dispatch‘ (2021)
- ‘Asteroid City‘ (2023)
- ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar‘ (2023)
- ‘The Phoenician Scheme‘ (2025)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Wes Anderson Movies on Amazon
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May 28, 2025
Bill Murray and Michael Cera on for New Wes Anderson Movie
(Left) Bill Murray as Frank Cross in ‘Scrooged.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Right) Michael Cera in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.’ Photo Universal Pictures.

Preview:
- Wes Anderson is locking in the cast for his next movie.
- Bill Murray, Michael Cera and Benicio Del Toro are the first people added.
- Roman Coppola worked on the script with the director.
Having brought us not just his latest movie, ‘Asteroid City’, but four short films based on the work of Roald Dahl last year, Wes Anderson could easily just take 2024 off. But he’s already got a new film in the works, and now, via World of Reel, we know that Bill Murray and Michael Cera are aboard to star, alongside Benicio Del Toro, who was previously announced.
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What’s the story of Wes Anderson’s next movie?

Writer/director Wes Anderson on the set of ‘Asteroid City,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Roger Do Minh/Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features

Anderson, who apparently finished the script (working alongside occasional collaborator Roman Coppola) before last year’s writers’ strike, has been keeping the details close to his chest.

But in an interview with Le Monde last June, Anderson did spill a little bit about it, including divulging a reunion with Benicio Del Toro, who appeared in the director’s ‘The French Dispatch’:

“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.”

Related Article: Every Wes Anderson Movie Ranked!

Who will appear in the new Wes Anderson movie?

Benicio del Toro as Tom Nichols in ‘Reptile.’ Cr. Kyle Kaplan/Netflix © 2023.

With Del Toro already confirmed, Murray is hardly a surprise. He’s worked on nine of Anderson’s movies and bowed out of ‘Asteroid City’ because of a combination of scheduling issues and complaints against his behavior on another movie. It would seem that despite those complaints, Anderson is only too happy to stick by him.

Michael Cera would be a new recruit to the director’s extensive troupe, but we can certainly see him fitting in with the quirky, mannered style that is as much a part of Anderson’s canon as his perfectly composed frames.

Anderson had intended to start shooting the movie last fall, but he had to delay because of the actors’ strike. The plan is now to kick off filming later in the spring.

While this latest project is reportedly going to feature a much smaller cast than the sprawling ensemble of ‘Asteroid City’, we’d expect to learn of at least a few more additions in the coming months.

When will Wes Anderson’s new movie be in theaters?

As of right now, there’s no word on a release date for the movie. Could he have this one done in time for awards season? We’d have our doubts, but anything is possible at this point.

(L to R) Writer/director Wes Anderson, actor Jason Schwartzman and actor Tom Hanks on the set of ‘Asteroid City,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Roger Do Minh/Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features.

Other Wes Anderson Movies:
- ‘Bottle Rocket‘ (1996)
- ‘Rushmore‘ (1999)
- ‘The Royal Tenenbaums‘ (2002)
- ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou‘ (2004)
- ‘The Darjeeling Limited‘ (2007)
- ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)
- ‘Moonrise Kingdom‘ (2012)
- ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel‘ (2014)
- ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)
- ‘The French Dispatch‘ (2021)
- ‘Asteroid City‘ (2023)
Buy Wes Anderson Movies on Amazon
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January 17, 2024
Adrien Brody Talks ‘Clean’

Adrien Brody in ‘Clean’

Opening in theaters, on digital rental, and VOD beginning January 28th is ‘Clean,’ from director Paul Solet. The film stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody (‘The Pianist’), who also co-wrote the screenplay with Solet, created the music for the movie, and served as producer.

The film centers on Clean (Brody), a recovering alcoholic and former criminal who is now living a simple life as a garbageman after the death of his daughter. He soon befriends a young girl named Dianda (Chandler DuPont) and after helping her out of a dangerous situation, gets put in the crosshairs of local mobster, Michael (Glenn Fleshler). With Michael out for revenge, Clean has no choice but to protect himself and fight back.

In addition to Brody, DuPont and Fleshler, the cast also includes Mykelti Williamson (‘Forest Gump’) and RZA (‘Nobody’).
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Moviefone recently had the opportunity to speak with Oscar-winner Adrien Brody about his new movie, ‘Clean.’ You can read the full interview below or watch it in the video player above.

Moviefone: To begin with, you are not only acting in ‘Clean’, but you are also a producer, you co-wrote the screenplay, and created the music for the movie.

What was it about this particular story that made you so passionate about this project and what was it like having the opportunity to express yourself artistically in ways that you hadn’t before?

Adrien Brody: I mean, that was part of the impetus to make it. I had been looking to find a role somewhat within this vein for forever. I love films where the hero of the film is so deeply flawed and tragic, and in spite of all of those factors, that some of them are even unlikable qualities, you root for him. That he or she is able to surmount that and do a heroic act.

I think those are the real heroes in life anyway, and sometimes characters are depicted in too clean of a heroic manner and they need a bit of grit, and they need a bit of frailty within them to overcome that. It’s a genre of films that I’ve always loved, and I wanted to bring some nuance to the character within that genre.

It’s something that I know I can do well, to play the physicality that often hasn’t been afforded to me. I just wanted to tell a story that also felt that it honored and spoke to a lot of what I am troubled with in this great nation and a lot of the frustration and anger that I feel within that ‘Clean’ represents.

Adrien Brody in ‘Clean’

I think it’s a collective feeling that we all have of a sense of powerlessness against oppressive forces. The ability of pharmaceutical giants to create mass addiction that then they’ll reign in. Then all these people turn to street drugs because they can’t afford to get their fix that they’ve been fed.

There’s this undercurrent of so much hardship that people and young people, especially in impoverished areas must escape from in order to have a life ahead. So, I wanted that in the scope of an entertaining film, not to shy away from them, if that makes sense.

Then the music. The music is another part of that. That is also deeply influenced by my life growing up in Queens, New York, through the birth of hip hop and through everything that feels right for the tone. It felt like a character within the movie. So, that was an afterthought, I didn’t set out to take on even more responsibility. It just felt like it was my responsibility to share that and to help bring more emotional complexity to the overall picture.

MF: Finally, can you talk about collaborating with director Paul Solet both on the screenplay and as well during production?

AB: Paul’s wonderful. We had worked in the past on ‘Bullet Head.’ I pitched Paul the idea of doing this together and really asking his help. Because I didn’t really have the confidence to write a screenplay on my own. I trusted his sensibilities and he brought so many interesting qualities to this that were truthful to him as well. It was a very interesting process and I greatly appreciate all that he’s brought to this.

(L to R) Director Paul Solet and Adrien Brody on the set of ‘Clean’
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February 3, 2022