Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme: Production Design
- Wes Anderson's latest film, "The Phoenician scheme," promises to be his most visually aspiring yet.
- Inspired by ancient middle Eastern civilizations, the film stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda, a european industrialist navigating assassination attempts while pursuing a massive land project.
- Stockhausen emphasized the exciting challenges of the film production.
‘The Phoenician Scheme’: Wes Anderson’s Exotic Vision Unveiled
Updated June 10, 2025
Wes Anderson’s latest film, “The Phoenician scheme,” promises to be his most visually aspiring yet. Production designer Adam Stockhausen, who previously won an Oscar for his work on “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” is collaborating with Anderson for the seventh time to bring this 1950s-era Byzantine espionage tale to life.
Inspired by ancient middle Eastern civilizations, the film stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda, a european industrialist navigating assassination attempts while pursuing a massive land project. The character draws inspiration from Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian and Lebanese businessman Fouad Malouf, who is Anderson’s father-in-law. At it’s heart, “The Phoenician Scheme” explores the complex relationship between Korda and his estranged daughter Liesl, played by Mia Threapleton.
Stockhausen emphasized the exciting challenges of the film production. “I love the story and was instantly excited about the scope and journey Zsa-Zsa takes us on,” Stockhausen said. he added that the production team embraced challenges, pushing the boundaries of theatrical achievement from desert scenes to railway tunnels built on sound stages.
Unlike previous Anderson films,”The Phoenician Scheme” was entirely constructed on sound stages at Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam, Germany. Stockhausen’s art department focused on mechanical requirements first, utilizing cardboard and digital models to refine shapes and perspectives before adding detailed finishes.
What’s next
As post-production continues, anticipation builds for the release of “The Phoenician Scheme,” promising a visually stunning and emotionally resonant addition to Wes Anderson’s filmography.