In the Phoenician Project, Michael Cera finally realizes a long-standing dream: to work with director Wes Anderson.
With his alternative humor and awkward charm, this is the first time that the "Scott Pilgrim" and "Barbie" actors enter Anderson's whimsical, colorful world. But that's not what it should be - CERA takes on the role in 2023's "Asteroid City" and, although it's for happiness reasons (the birth of Cera's first son), it didn't work in the end.
However, Cera's sneaky character in "Phoenici Project" Bjorn is the quirky mentor of the wealthy businessman of Benicio del Toro, whose patience is redeemed, whose quirky mentor of his wealthy businessman is trapped in the adventure of a global trip with his estranged daughter, liesl (Mia Threapleton). Bjorn caused a lot of laughter in the film with his ridiculous Norwegian accent and affinity for insects - and later, crucial to the nominal plan.
Cera told the film ahead of the premiere of the Cannes Film Festival Sunday night. type About working with Anderson to develop Bjorn’s character and its upcoming directorial debut.
Just Wes asked! I mean, it's a effortless and always for me, being invited by him. I've always wanted to work with him since I saw "Royal Tenenbaums" in the theater, so I'm glad to have the opportunity.
Over the years, I've known Wes socially. We encountered something like 20 years ago. We just met in a meeting but have been in touch for years. Wes is actually very encouraging with some of the projects I've been trying to set up. He read things, he was just helpful and supportive. And then, of course, I always hoped to have the opportunity to join his set.
I just went, “Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to see how he did it.” I really don’t know how he is going to build this world. (Bjorn)’s character is so complete – all characters are. I love it, this movie passes through the luxurious view of this wealth field.
On the script, he is definitely Norwegian, but that's it. In my opinion, thanks to Wes' conversation, I at least know what the overall taste it adds to the whole thing. It really needs to be honed with Wes and read with Mia, Benicio and Wes, especially the accent.
I think Wes is a little nervous because it will dip into too much stuff, or the character just asks too much viewer - taking up too much space with his accent and appearance. So we just need to make sure that we are positioned to be in harmony with the whole thing. But once we start doing the scene, it feels right. I want to know what Norwegians will do.
This is stupid. It took us all a minute to make it feel normal, but then it actually started to normal very quickly. Honestly, what I had a hard time getting used to is the glasses I wore because they had this crazy prescription inside, which made everything crazy. It's like the effect of a big fish tank, it doesn't give you depth or anything. But in the end, I kind of learned how to deal with it.
Wes made me the amazing French entomologist named Jean-Henri Fabre, who was just a controversial figure when he was publishing the material because he was weird and he did all his own experiments. But reading is so fascinating because he is a very fascinating writer. So, at least in terms of entomology, he is a bit like a touchstone. I really want to read this book every morning. So I learned a lot and even my sons started to get stuck in scarab and things. This is a fascinating world. Then obviously it's fun to deal with real creatures.
This is a great small unit. The three of us and Wes had some rehearsal time before we started shooting - maybe two weeks we had lunch together every day and just traversing the scene. We built a really good motivation and a team feel in all of us and it was the whole movie. Then we have a spinning guy who will come in and hang out and become part of the movie and then leave. I am honored to be able to play such an important role, and this is my first time working with WES. I can't ask for more.
As an actor, it was so fun to work with Wes. It's so specific and very strict, but it's fun. Such a fun spirit has always been fun. Never felt negative impulses or pressure, even if we were working hard, we felt like we had a great time. It always felt very optimistic and when we made it, I totally fell in love with the movie. Wes is a little extravagant to do as much as he needs to do, so around 20, “Okay, we have something, so let’s try something else now and keep trying for that.” It’s just a nice way to work, and you’ll feel like “everything else here is gravy.” Of course, there are few happy accidents in the movie. Obviously, I just hope to continue working with him.
You know, I was heartbroken a lot of times, I was the kind of person who really believed in something completely real afterwards. With the "Asteroid City" crashing to me, I kind of like, "Please let ('Phoenician Project') happen." Until we finally started shooting, I was like, "Okay, this seems to be happening."
I really hope to do this this fall. I'm so excited about it, it's something I wrote and I really like it. I feel that if we do, then it would be a total privilege to make what I wrote and it is very specific and special and unusual. I'm trying my most curse and hope everything falls into the place as it should. But you know, you just keep trying. Like to play - What is that game - Corn Hole? You just keep throwing it. Whether it enters or not, it is determined by nature.
This interview has been edited and condensed to ensure clarity and length.