The Surreal Experience of Acting with Wes Anderson’s Ensemble
The star-studded cast of Wes Anderson films is often a highlight, featuring a mix of Oscar winners and cinematic legends. For Mia Threapleton, however, leading the cast in Anderson’s latest project, The Phoenician Scheme, brought an entirely different kind of thrill.
“As a performer, it was incredible to experiment within scenes and collaborate with so many talented actors,” Threapleton shares. “On a personal level, it was surreal. I found myself standing next to Tom Hanks, thinking, ‘Oh my god, it’s Woody!'”
An Impressive Ensemble Cast
The Phoenician Scheme features a remarkable array of talent, including Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Riz Ahmed, alongside Threapleton and Benicio Del Toro in pivotal roles. Reflecting on her co-stars, Threapleton notes, “I grew up watching their films and have admired their work for so long. Now, I’m part of that legacy.”
Set to be released on May 30 by Focus Features, the film narrates the story of Zsa-Zsa Korda, played by Del Toro, a wealthy tycoon embroiled in a world of dubious business practices. After surviving yet another assassination attempt, he unexpectedly names his estranged daughter, Liesl—played by Threapleton—as his heir, just as she is on the verge of becoming a nun.
A Natural Path to Acting
Threapleton’s journey into acting seems almost predestined. “I was always staging plays in the garden with my cousins,” she recalls. “By the age of 10, I openly declared my dream to act.” Despite being the daughter of acclaimed actress Kate Winslet, Threapleton admits she had little understanding of the entertainment industry prior to her breakout role.
Roger Do Minh/TPS Productions/Focus Features
Threapleton credits her mother for maintaining a distinction between personal and professional life. “Her work was separate from being ‘Mum,'” she explains. After being discovered during a high school play, Threapleton’s career began to flourish. “I didn’t consciously think I was going to forge my own path, but that’s how it turned out, and my mother supported me completely.”
Building on a Family Legacy
Threapleton has garnered significant recognition, including her appearance alongside Winslet in the Channel 4 series I Am…. She has also accumulated credits in Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers and films featuring big names like Jude Law and Gillian Anderson. Nevertheless, The Phoenician Scheme represents her most significant role yet.
In May 2023, Threapleton received an email from her agents regarding a new Wes Anderson film, which merely stated “young girl.” Her admiration for Anderson’s work began at age 12 after watching Moonrise Kingdom, leading her to eagerly pursue the opportunity.
A Lengthy Audition Process
The auditioning phase extended over six months, involving self-tapes, in-person readings, and extensive screen tests. “We saw hundreds of candidates, but the moment she came in, it was evident she was our Liesl,” Anderson remarked to THR.
At its core, The Phoenician Scheme explores themes of inheritance, woven together by the complicated relationship between Del Toro’s Zsa-Zsa and Threapleton’s Liesl. The film artfully navigates through generational trauma, even amidst the whimsical aesthetic characteristic of Anderson’s style.
Behind the Scenes
During a week and a half of rehearsals, Threapleton, Del Toro, Cera, and Anderson engaged in profound discussions about their characters, laying the groundwork for their extensive filming at Berlin’s Studio Babelsberg. In a unique directive, Anderson challenged Threapleton to create her own props for her scenes. “Wes crafts an immersive world; every day on set feels all-encompassing,” she reflects.
Anticipation for Cannes
As The Phoenician Scheme prepares for its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it is set to compete in the main section, Threapleton recently experienced the film for the first time during a private screening in London. “When the opening credits rolled, I burst into tears,” she laughs, “and then I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of my face!’—only to realize at the end, ‘Oh my god, I did that.'”
Undoubtedly, Threapleton’s journey is just beginning, and her turn in Anderson’s latest film is poised to carve a remarkable niche in the landscape of contemporary cinema.