Cannes 2025: Michael Cera considers Norwegian reaction to his ‘Phoenician Scheme’ character
Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Michael Cera has opened up about his bizarre character in Wes Anderson’s latest film, Phoenician Scheme.
Speaking to Variety, Cera talked of his first time collaborating with the renowned director. Cera was initially lined up for Anderson’s 2023 picture, Asteroid City, but had to pull out due to the birth of his first child.
In the upcoming movie, which is making its debut at Cannes, Cera plays Bjorn. Bjorn is the quirky tutor of Benicio del Toro’s wealthy businessman, who gets roped into a globe-trotting adventure alongside his estranged daughter, Liesl, played by Mia Threapleton.
In the interview, he first gushed about his character, saying Bjorn “was so complete — all of the characters were. I loved it, this kind of opulent romp of a movie through this sphere of wealth.”
Cera added about how he formed the character: “He’s definitely Norwegian in the script, but that’s kind of it. It was to me very clear because of Wes’ dialogue and I at least knew a general target of what it was going to feel like as far as what flavor it adds in the whole scheme of things. It did take a bit of honing with Wes and reading with Mia and Benicio and Wes, especially the accent.”
Nevertheless, he revealed that, “Wes was a bit nervous that it would dip into it being a little too much, or the character just asking too much of the audience, taking up too much space with his accent and look.”
Because of this, we “kind of had to just make sure we tuned it to where it was in harmony with the whole thing. But once we started doing the scenes, it just felt right. I’m wondering what the Norwegians are going to make of it.”
The Barbie actor is soon making his directorial debut, Love is Not the Answer, with a star-studded cast and a script he penned himself. He will direct Pamela Anderson, Steve Coogan, Fred Hechinger, and Jamie Dornan in the film.
The upcoming blockbuster will be Anderson’s 13th turn as director, following on from his acclaimed short film anthology adaptation The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More for Netflix in 2024.
The Phoenician Scheme will be released in the UK on May 23rd, 2025.
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