The latest Wes Anderson film is coming to UK cinema later this month, and Tom Hanks will star in it. Known for his distinct amlost storybook style, Anderson enjoys using symmetrical compositions, vivid colouring and long takes.
The Phoenician Scheme’s basic premise of the film is about family and business. A synopsis of the movie reads: “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.”
The film includes themes of somewhat organised dysfunction and chaos, and doing so through the lens of family dynamics and espionage.
The black comedy film has been in development since prior to 2023, but the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike put a slight delay on the film.
Alongside Hanks, the film stars Mia Threapleton, who is the daughter of Kate Winslet.
The rest of the cast includes Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The Phoenician Scheme was filmed in Germany, but from the trailer, much of the film looks to be set in a fictional Middle Eastern country.
Two years after the release of Asteroid City, The Phoenician Scheme, was co-written by Roman Coppola who is the son of Francis Ford Coppola.
The Phoenician Scheme will premiere in the 2025 Cannes Film Festival that takes place from next week. Anderson has had much success with his collection of movies, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom.
In 2015, he won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay with The Grand Budapest Hotel. Anderson also received the Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action) for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.