Wes Anderson recently shared that Jodie Foster turned down the chance to star in at least three of his films over the years. In a recent interview with Collider, the acclaimed director, whose latest film The Phoenician Scheme is now in theaters, expressed his admiration for the Silence of the Lambs actress and recounted his efforts to enlist her for various roles.
“I’ve tried to bring Jodie Foster into many of my projects,” Anderson revealed. “It seemed like every film I made, we approached her for a part. I think it happened three or maybe four times. I genuinely liked her and believed I could convince her to join, as I think she’s incredible.”
He reminisced about Foster’s performance in her directorial debut Little Man Tate, noting her unique charm and the different kind of character she portrayed. “She was wonderful in that film,” Anderson continued. “I would still love to work with her. But after a few attempts, I realized she might have a different vision for her career at that time and we just weren’t the right fit.”
While he refrained from specifying which films Foster passed on, Anderson humorously noted that revealing that information could lead to speculation about who he initially wanted for those roles.
The Phoenician Scheme centers on wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda, played by Benicio Del Toro, who names his only daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton), as the sole heir to his estate. As Korda ventures into a new business, they become entangled with ruthless tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
The film features a star-studded cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Michael Cera, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Murray.
In a recent NME review, the film received four stars, stating: “As always, Anderson amps up the whimsical charm. We see Korda wrestling with his conscience in dream sequences where God is portrayed by none other than Bill Murray. The Phoenician Scheme never feels pretentious or overly self-referential; it’s simply a delightful experience with surprising bursts of action—a fresh addition to Anderson’s repertoire.”
Anderson also teased future plans, stating he’ll be heading to England next, though he offered no further details.
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