The Phoenician Scheme Complete Cast

Nivedita Dubey
June 11, 2025

Key Points:

The Phoenician Scheme is directed, written, and produced by Wes Anderson, the film blends espionage with dark comedy.
Ensemble cast includes Benicio del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, and more.
Premiered at Cannes 2025 and released in the US and Germany in May 2025.

**What Is The Phoenician Scheme About?**

THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME - Official Trailer — THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME – Official Trailer

Set in 1950, The Phoenician Scheme centers on Zsa-Zsa Korda, an arms dealer and industrialist who narrowly escapes an assassination attempt and has a brief encounter with the afterlife. There, a divine court begins to judge his moral worth. Korda decides to repair his estranged relationship with his daughter Sister Liesl, a Catholic novice, by convincing her to leave the Church and join his morally dubious business.

Their relationship is fraught with tension—Korda had sent Liesl to a convent as a child and is rumored to have been involved in her mother’s death. Liesl teams up with Bjørn Lund, a Norwegian entomologist and Korda’s assistant, as they navigate a corrupt infrastructure overhaul in Phoenicia, funded through ethically questionable means.

Meanwhile, government agent Excalibur aims to sabotage Korda’s plans by manipulating market prices. Korda uses a combination of deceit, blackmail, and intimidation to keep his investors onboard. However, when secrets about Liesl’s mother and Korda’s half-brother Uncle Nubar emerge, personal revelations complicate the already volatile business scheme.

As tensions escalate, Korda undergoes a transformation—converting to Catholicism, paying his workers fairly, and investing his entire fortune into completing the Phoenician scheme with dignity. The film ends on a note of redemption as Korda and Liesl reconcile and retire to a peaceful life.

**Who Stars in The Phoenician Scheme?**

The film features a large ensemble cast, typical of Wes Anderson’s previous works. Here is the complete list of cast members and their roles:

Benicio del Toro as Anatole “Zsa-Zsa” Korda, a corrupt but charismatic industrialist.
Mia Threapleton as Sister Liesl, Korda’s daughter and a Catholic novice.
Michael Cera as Bjørn Lund, a Norwegian entomologist and Korda’s assistant.
Riz Ahmed as Prince Farouk, heir to the throne of Phoenicia.
Tom Hanks as Leland, an investor from Sacramento.
Bryan Cranston as Reagan, Leland’s brother and business partner.
Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob, a nightclub owner and Korda investor.
Richard Ayoade as Sergio, a revolutionary guerilla leader.
Jeffrey Wright as Marty, a businessman from Newark.
Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda Sussman-Korda, Korda’s cousin and fiancée.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar, Korda’s estranged half-brother.
Rupert Friend as Excalibur, a government agent.
Hope Davis as Mother Superior, Liesl’s religious mentor.
Bill Murray as God, appearing during Korda’s afterlife scenes.
Charlotte Gainsbourg as Korda’s first wife.
Willem Dafoe as Knave, Korda’s celestial defense lawyer.
F. Murray Abraham as Prophet.

Supporting cast includes:

Stephen Park as Korda’s pilot
Alex Jennings as Broadcloth, the butler
Jason Watkins as Notary, Korda’s lawyer
Donald Sumpter as Chairman
Scott Shepherd as Field Reporter
Karl Markovics as Assassin #1 (Desert)
Stéphane Bak, Aysha Joy Samuel as Radical Freedom Militia Corps members
Mohamed Chahrour as Marseille Bob’s Bodyguard
Imke Büchel and Anna Bardorf as Governesses
Imad Mardnli as Farouk’s Bodyguard
Jaime Ferkic as Chauffeur
Beatrice Campbell as Young Liesl

**When and Where Was The Phoenician Scheme Released?**

The Phoenician Scheme had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025, as part of the main competition. It was released theatrically in Germany by Universal Pictures on May 29, 2025, and in the United States by Focus Features on May 30, 2025.

Who Were the Key Creatives Behind the Film?

The film was directed, written, and produced by Wes Anderson, based on a story co-developed with Roman Coppola. It was shot at Babelsberg Studio in Germany between March and June 2024, with Bruno Delbonnel handling cinematography.

The score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, a long-time collaborator of Anderson. The film was a co-production between American Empirical Pictures and Indian Paintbrush, and was created during and after the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023–2024.

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