In the newly released film The Phoenician Scheme, Bill Murray is cast as God, a choice that writer-director Wes Anderson humorously suggests was not his own, but perhaps divine intervention. Discussing this unique decision, Anderson delves into how Murray brought an informal, genuine presence to the role, reshaping the concept of the Almighty for Anderson’s vision of heaven.
Divine Inspiration Behind Bill Murray’s Casting
For The Phoenician Scheme, Anderson considered how to portray God, ultimately presenting Murray’s selection as serendipitous. As he explained to Entertainment Weekly,
“I don’t know that we chose Bill to play God, possibly God did.”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director. Anderson described Murray’s approach to the character as effortless and fitting, saying Murray appeared comfortable and at home in the role, embodying a version of God that felt authentic and easy-going.
“What I will say is when Bill walked onto the set in his robes and his beard, he could barely move. And yet he seemed very comfortable, and he occupied his throne in a relaxed manner. It just didn’t seem that he was faking it. We knew very quickly he was going to be an informal God who is creating without making a show of it.”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director.
Storyline and the Role of Heaven
The narrative follows Zsa-zsa Korda, a wealthy businessman portrayed by Benicio del Toro, who names his daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), a nun, as his only heir. Alongside Korda and his unusual tutor Bjorn (Michael Cera), the trio faces a series of unusual assassination attempts, likely orchestrated by Korda’s rivals. These close calls transport Korda into a monochromatic, liminal heaven where deep personal reflection and transformation take place, often featuring Murray’s portrayal of God as a guiding presence.
Anderson observes major character growth as Korda repeatedly finds himself in these mystical spaces.
“I think some of the most important changes in Benicio’s character Zsa-zsa are taking place during these sort of visions that he’s having as he repeatedly dies, or keeps getting assassinated,”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director. This recurring journey to a stylized afterlife gives the story its distinctive tone and adds a layer of introspection to the chaotic events on Earth.
Visual Approach to Heaven and Artistic Influences
Creating a believable heaven was central to Anderson’s approach, and he was committed to doing so without relying on digital effects.
“We wanted it to all exist in front of the camera, to not use computer visual effects, to have it all be there,”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director. To achieve this, the team constructed a 360-degree stage with hand-painted and sculpted clouds, supported by a “Biblical troupe” that included actors like F. Murray Abraham, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Willem Dafoe, enhancing the ethereal environment on set.
Anderson, reflecting on the cinematic vision, draws from historical inspiration.
“I think it’s sort of the way biblical settings and characters were portrayed during the Renaissance, I think that’s really what we’ve done,”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director.
“I mean, we’re so familiar with the Renaissance representation of stories from the Bible, and ours is the black and white version of that.”
—Wes Anderson, Writer-Director. This purposeful aesthetic choice lends the film a timeless and dreamlike quality, mirroring how Renaissance artists imagined sacred scenes but reimagined in striking black and white.
The Ensemble Cast and Further Details
The Phoenician Scheme was co-written by Anderson and his frequent collaborator Roman Coppola, further strengthening the film‘s distinctive narrative style. The cast features a wide array of notable performers including Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis. Each contributes to an ensemble-driven story filled with wit, whimsy, and moments of existential pondering. The movie is currently available in theaters, with Bill Murray’s interpretation of God remaining one of its most discussed, inventive elements.
By blending elaborate set design, a star-studded cast, and Anderson’s distinct storytelling, The Phoenician Scheme redefines the portrayal of divinity in film. The choice to have Bill Murray cast as God in The Phoenician Scheme showcases Anderson’s inventive style while inviting audiences to reflect on fate, artistry, and the mysteries of both life and the afterlife.
