Benicio del Toro experienced an unexpected complication related to the Benicio del Toro TSA incident with Phoenician Scheme script while traveling from Boston to Los Angeles, as TSA agents scrutinized his bag over the script for Wes Anderson’s film, which features a dramatic plane crash in its opening. The ordeal, recounted on Late Night with Seth Meyers, unfolded when security agents discovered the script’s alarming first pages, leading to heightened concern at the airport.
Script Details Spark Concern at Security Checkpoint
As del Toro prepared to board his flight, he found himself at the center of attention due to the contents of his bag. TSA personnel stopped him when his computer was not removed for inspection.
I’m in Boston and I’m flying to L.A. and, for some reason, I have my computer in there and I didn’t take it out, so the TSA people, they just said, ‘Hey, we need to check your bag,’
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
During the inspection, an agent opened the script, quickly noticing its bold, enlarged headings that del Toro had formatted for easy access between scenes. The script began with several alarming descriptions: “Interior: Airplane. Bomb,” followed by “Interior: Cockpit. Eject the pilot,” and then “Crash.” This sequence naturally raised suspicions.
Actor Clarifies Situation in Face of Heightened Security
Quick on his feet, del Toro immediately clarified to the security team that what they saw was part of a film script for The Phoenician Scheme and not any real threat. More officers were called over to review the materials, intensifying the tense moment on the concourse.
Eventually, a TSA supervisor examined del Toro’s documentation, providing a moment of relief when he appeared to recognize the actor from previous roles.
He looked at me, and I think he recognized me, maybe from ‘Sicario’ or ‘Traffic,’
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
Del Toro, appreciating the thoroughness, expressed approval of the agent’s cautious approach.
I gave that guy a thumbs-up, because he was paying attention.
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
Humorous Take on a Tense Encounter
During the interview, Seth Meyers added his own humor, imagining the supervisor’s hypothetical response if something had gone wrong on the actor’s flight.
Let’s say he let you go and then something terrible happened, and he would tell his supervisor, ‘He told me it was a movie,’
—Seth Meyers, Host
And they’re like, ‘And you believed him?!’
—Seth Meyers, Host
Del Toro played along, joking about his script notes. The incident now stands as an example of how life can imitate art, particularly when creative work meets real-world security protocols.
The Broader Impact and Anticipated Release
The story of del Toro’s encounter highlights just how closely the lines between fiction and reality can blur, especially at sensitive locations such as airports. His experience also underscores the vigilance of Transportation Security Administration staff amid the real-world fears that can arise from art imitating crisis. The Phoenician Scheme, directed by Wes Anderson and featuring Benicio del Toro, is currently in limited release ahead of its nationwide rollout on June 6. The incident brings attention not just to the film’s gripping storyline but also to the unexpected challenges actors may face off-screen.
