'The Phoenician Scheme' Proves Michael Cera Is Perfect for Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson has cultivated a distinct sense of style, narrative structure, and aesthetic that has become expected of his projects. Along with visual consistency, the filmmaker has also been known to frequently collaborate with the same set of actors. Most Wes Anderson films, particularly recent titles like The French Dispatch and Asteroid City, have featured several of the same actors, such as Jeffrey Wright, Benicio del Toro, and Willem Dafoe. All three of those and many others have also returned for Anderson's newest film, The Phoenician Scheme. The movie tells the story of industrialist and arms dealer Anatole “Zsa-Zsa” Kordaa (del Toro), whose attempts to overhaul the infrastructure of Phoenicia are constantly undermined by several assassination attempts. First-time Anderson collaborator Mia Threapleton plays Zsa-Zsa's daughter, though she isn't the only newcomer; Michael Cera is also part of the cast in a significant role.