Everyone has their dream casting for aWes Andersonfilm. For years, the frequent candidate called upon to be integrated into the writer-director’s stock company wasMichael Cera, but at last, Anderson answered our prayers by casting the quirky but delightful actor in his new film,The Phoenician Scheme, which is rounded out by a stellar troupe of stars, includingBenicio del Toro,Scarlett Johansson, andTom Hanks. As it turns out, Anderson also has dream-casting scenarios on his mind as well, as he dropped the ultimate bombshell in arecent interview withCollider.He revealed that his White Whale, someone he’s been trying to collaborate with for years, isJodie Foster. After various instances of nearly obtaining the talents of the two-time Oscar winner, the opportunity continues to elude Anderson. Now that he’s planted that seed in our heads, getting Foster in the next Anderson film has to be priority #1 in the film world.
Wes Anderson Has Been Trying to Cast Jodie Foster For Years
When Wes Anderson sat down with Collider, the directordiscussedThe Phoenician Schemeand his foray into genre filmmaking, allusions to real-life political issues that mirror Zsa-zsa Korda (del Toro), and his aspirations of deploying a beloved actor in a brand-new light.“Over the years, I had so many movies that I tried to get Jodie Foster to be in,“Anderson revealed, adding that, during the casting of “every movie,” he approached the screen icon. He cited Foster’s directorial debut,Little Man Tate, in which she also stars on screen as the central single mother, as the film that unlocked another side of her. “She has this real sparkle. She has a lightness in it. It’s just a different kind of character,” Anderson described.
Even after meeting with her on various occasions, there has been no luck obtaining a role for Foster. Out of respect for the actors who eventually got the parts offered to her, Anderson did not reveal which roles he envisioned Foster playing. Still, he remains optimistic that the stars will align.“I still would like to get Jodie Foster,“theRushmoredirector said.
Jodie Foster Would Be an Ideal Fit for Wes Anderson
We couldn’t agree more—a Jodie Foster-Wes Anderson collaboration needs to happen. Since she was a child actor in the 1970s, Foster’s mission statement has been to work with visionary directors andseek out enticing material.The 62-year-old actor’s impressive track record with directors includesMartin Scorsese,Alan Parker,Jonathan Demme,Spike Lee,Robert Zemeckis, andDavid Fincher. Anderson, who reconfigured the screen personas ofBill Murray,Gene Hackman, andRalph Fiennesinto his quirky dollhouse worlds, could tap into a new realm of Foster’s versatile talents, using her baggage as a legendary prestigious actor to reflect on her own life as he previously did withHackman inThe Royal Tenenbaums.
More than anything,Foster is a rich, untapped resource as a comedic actor, and who better to extract the humor from an acclaimed, serious than Wes Anderson? While these traits are rarely deployed on the screen, Foster’s quick wit and infectious charm come to life in interviews and on the press junket. It’s no wonder whyLittle Man Tateleft an imprint on Anderson, as Foster’s turn as a single mother raising a child prodigy evokes the wistful family dynamics ofRushmore,Tenenbaums, andThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
In the Collider interview, Anderson referencedThe Razor’s Edge, a hard dramatic turn for his frequent collaborator, Bill Murray, during his run as a major comedy star in the 1980s. Foster giving a performance as quirky but deeply poignant asBruce WillisinMoonrise Kingdom, another star making an uncharacteristic persona pivot, could be the capstone to a storied career. Regardless of her comedic chops, Foster’s ability to access a wide range of emotions, ranging from steely austerity to reflective pathos,makes her an automatic to receive Oscar consideration in any part.
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“Wes is a genre unto himself.”
While often lighthearted and sentimental, immersing yourself in theWes Anderson worldis not for the impatient, as it takes a particular tenor of actor to deliver his dialogue and hit the marks on the stage with precision. Anderson has talked openly about thedifficulties of working with the late Gene HackmaninTenenbaums, who seemed bewildered by the director’s unorthodox process. As a seasoned, old-school vet herself,Foster could potentially clash with Anderson’s peculiarities, but a healthy conflict between an actor and director often leads to great art.
Some argue that Wes Anderson’s films, as the director expands his visual palette, have gotten too emotionally distant and esoteric. Adding a figure oftransfixing gravitas in Jodie Fosterwould help restore Anderson’s initial charm, and audiences’ decades-long relationship with her would balance the scale between Andersonian spectacle and the grounded dramatic aura she brings to the table. For the betterment of cinema, answer the call, Jodie Foster!
Wes Anderson’s latest film,The Phoenician Scheme, is now playing in theaters.
The Phoenician Scheme
The Phoenician Scheme: Set within a complex world of espionage, this film explores the tumultuous father-daughter relationship at the heart of a family business. As secrets unravel, the pair navigates personal and professional challenges in a plot infused with intrigue and deception. Released on June 27, 2025.
