Cannes 2025: Benedict Cumberbatch praises “master” Wes Anderson at ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ press conference

Posted On May 19, 2025May 19, 2025

At a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19th, the cast of Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme appeared alongside the director following its premiere, with Benedict Cumberbatch lauding him.

Benicio del Toro stars in the movie as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of Europe’s wealthiest men. Meanwhile, Mia Threapleton is also features as Sister Liesl, Korda’s daughter, who is also a nun, and Michael Cera plays tutor Bjorn Lund.

The star-studded cast also boasts Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis and Cumberbatch.

Cumberbatch was very happy to work with Anderson again after joining creative forces on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar in 2023.

The English actor said at the press conference of the director: “It did feel like home. It’s just a charm to play such an invention and particular aesthetic, and a constraint that’s both a constraint and a zen-like discipline. You are in the hands of a master, and you just give in to it, and it’s a joy.”

The Sherlock star continued: “In my case, it was physical, it was crazy, but to be acting alongside Benicio (del Toro) that was very new and wonderful and the trip of this film. To be sharing space with them was phenomenal.”

Cumberbatch was joined by Richard Ayoade, who revealed he was shocked at Anderson recruiting him for The Phoenician Scheme for which he initially believed to be a “clerical error”. He added: “When I found out it wasn’t a mistake, I was more than happy to show up.”

Michael Cera also told those at Cannes that he was previously offered the chance to work with Anderson on Asteroid City, but scheduling conflicts prevented this. Cera shared: “It’s thrilling to be asked. Wes asked me to do a small role in Asteroid City that I unfortunately couldn’t do, and that was crushing, really heartbreaking. But this invitation redeemed it tenfold. It was a gift.

The Phoenician Scheme is set for release in cinemas on May 30th, 2025.

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