Cast of The Phoenician Scheme: Full Stars List 2025

Wes Anderson’s ensemble-driven films always deliver star power, and The Phoenician Scheme piles an A-list cast into one of his most elaborate fictional worlds yet. With Benicio del Toro leading a sprawling group that includes Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, and a striking newcomer who happens to be Kate Winslet’s daughter, the film has plenty of real-life drama layered beneath its fictional intrigue.

Director: Wes Anderson · Lead Actor: Benicio del Toro · Notable Cast: Mia Threapleton, Tom Hanks, Riz Ahmed · Release Year: 2025 · Key Supporting: Michael Cera, Bryan Cranston

Is Kate Winslet’s daughter in The Phoenician Scheme?

Mia Threapleton indeed appears in The Phoenician Scheme, playing Liesl, the daughter of Benicio del Toro’s character Zsa-Zsa Korda. Threapleton is the daughter of Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, making the casting a notable family affair in cinema.

Mia Threapleton’s role

Threapleton plays Liesl, a nun-in-training who is also Zsa-Zsa Korda’s only heir among his nine sons. Collider’s review notes that the chemistry between del Toro and Threapleton as father and daughter feels genuine and compelling throughout the film.

Family connection to Kate Winslet

Mia Threapleton is Kate Winslet’s daughter, and this casting choice brought extra media attention to the film. Threapleton has spoken publicly about the misconception of being solely defined by her mother’s fame, yet this casting puts both actresses in the spotlight together in the industry.

The implication: Threapleton’s casting is more than a publicity move—her performance alongside an Oscar winner like del Toro suggests she was chosen for the chemistry, not just the name recognition.

What will The Phoenician Scheme be about?

The Phoenician Scheme is an espionage black comedy thriller set in a fictional country called Phoenicia. The story centers on Zsa-Zsa Korda, a wealthy European businessman and arms dealer who has fathered nine sons but names his daughter Liesl as his sole heir.

Plot summary

The plot follows Korda’s scheme to fund infrastructure projects in the fictional nation, with the revenue structure reportedly involving a 5% annual share over 150 years. Keith & the Movies reports the scheme uses questionable means including what appears to be slave labor and extorted capital, giving the film’s comedy a darker undercurrent.

Key characters like Liesl

Beyond Liesl, the cast includes Richard Ayoade as Sergio, a communist freedom fighter, and Jeffrey Wright as Marty, one of Korda’s business associates. Riz Ahmed plays Prince Farouk, one of the investors working with Korda, while Mathieu Amalric portrays Marseille Bob, a French nightclub owner leading the Savarin-Montrachet Gang.

What this means: The plot premise sounds familiar—wealthy schemer, questionable methods—but Anderson’s ensemble approach transforms it into a character-driven comedy where every supporting role gets a moment to shine.

Is Phoenician Scheme a good movie?

Early reviews suggest The Phoenician Scheme represents a return to form for Anderson, with particular praise for the ensemble cast. Collider’s review calls it “definitely more of a return to form and the cast is great,” suggesting the film recaptures the whimsy and ensemble depth of his earlier works.

Rotten Tomatoes scores

While official Rotten Tomatoes aggregation was still developing at the time of research, the pattern of reviews indicates generally favorable reception, particularly for the performances.

Audience and critic reception

Critics have highlighted the Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton pairing as a standout element. Collider specifically noted their “fantastic chemistry as father and daughter,” suggesting the emotional core of the film lands effectively.

The pattern: When critics praise an Anderson film for its ensemble, they’re usually saying every actor got a distinct moment to inhabit—and The Phoenician Scheme appears to deliver on that front.

Is The Phoenician Scheme based on a true story?

The Phoenician Scheme is a pure work of fiction created by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. The fictional country of Phoenicia, the elaborate scheme, and all characters are invented for the film.

Genre classification

The film falls squarely into Anderson’s signature style: an espionage thriller rendered as black comedy. Wikipedia classifies it as an espionage black comedy thriller, placing it in the same creative lineage as The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.

Fantasy elements

While not fantasy in the magical sense, the film’s world operates on an exaggerated, stylized level typical of Anderson’s aesthetic. The elaborate business scheme involving 150-year revenue shares and fictional nations falls into the realm of comedic fantasy rather than political realism.

The catch: Even though it’s not “based on a true story,” the film’s treatment of international business schemes and family dynasties will feel uncomfortably familiar to anyone following real-world financial headlines.

Who is Liesl’s father in The Phoenician Scheme?

Liesl’s father is Zsa-Zsa Korda, played by Benicio del Toro. Korda is described as a wealthy European businessman and arms dealer who has accumulated nine sons but chooses his daughter as his sole heir.

Character backstory

Korda’s character is the driving force of the film—his scheme to fund infrastructure in Phoenicia and his decision to name Liesl as sole heir sets up the central conflict. Collider’s review confirms this father-daughter dynamic is central to the film’s emotional arc.

Makeup symbolism

The makeup and costuming for Korda reportedly emphasizes his extravagant lifestyle and European old-money aesthetic, contrasting with Liesl’s more austere nun-in-training appearance. This visual contrast reinforces their thematic opposition.

The trade-off: Del Toro plays against type here—typically associated with gritty thrillers and drug kingpins, he’s now heading an Anderson comedy. The risk pays off, reviewers suggest, because del Toro commits fully to the absurdist tone.

The Phoenician Scheme is definitely more of a return to form and the cast is great!

— Collider review

Del Toro and Threapleton have fantastic chemistry as father and daughter

— Collider review

For moviegoers deciding whether to catch The Phoenician Scheme, the choice comes down to appetite for Anderson’s particular style. Fans of The Grand Budapest Hotel or The French Dispatch will find familiar pleasures: meticulous framing, sharp dialogue, and an ensemble giving distinct characters their moments. Those expecting a straightforward thriller may be caught off-guard by the comedic tone. With Benicio del Toro anchoring the ensemble and Mia Threapleton emerging as a breakout presence, the film delivers the kind of star power that justifies the ticket price on its cast alone.

Related reading: Cast of Longlegs · Slow Horses Cast Guide

Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme features Benicio del Toro leading a dream ensemble, with the full cast breakdown highlighting roles for Mia Threapleton and Tom Hanks.

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