Wes Anderson is not just known for his unique, meticulous world-building and the centrality of his shots, but also for his clique of talented actors and friends.
The likes of Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton (and many, many more) regularly pop up in his films, making room in their tight schedules for the chance to work with him again and again. Being on his movies can be seen as some kind of retreat, one where familiarity among cast and crew is as important as getting those perfectly centered long takes.
Across his ten movies — from his 1996 feature debut 'Bottle Rocket' to his latest and first anthology 'The French Dispatch' — Anderson has managed to put together strong ensembles, casting some of the most recognizable faces in the industry alongside relative newcomers, all almost guaranteed to be seen in another of his projects at some point down the line.
As the Texan filmmaker has two more projects in the works, each starring a mix of Anderson veterans and first-timers, let's take a look at what the Wes regulars have said about his movies.
7 Frances McDormand Recognized A Familiarity Between Wes Anderson And The Coen Brothers
Frances McDormand starred as Mrs. Bishop in 'Moonrise Kingdom,' lent her voice to Interpreter Nelson in animated film 'Isle of Dogs,' and recently appeared in 'The French Dispatch'.
The Oscar-winning star has looked back on first watching a film directed by Anderson and experiencing a sense of familiarity. She was struck by 'Bottle Rocket' so much, in fact, that she urged her husband Joel Coen (one half of the Coen brothers) to go see it again with her.
"By chance, I saw 'Bottle Rocket' by myself the day it opened in NYC," McDormand told 'The New York Times' in 2021.
"I went home and told Joel there was somebody out there doing something familiar We went back to see it together and he concurred. I have seen all of Wes's films since."
6 Owen Wilson's Favorite Wes Anderson Movie Might Surprise You
Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson are longtime pals, their friendship going back to their college days in Austin, Texas.
That's where the creative duo first met, ending up being roommates and writing their first script together, that of 'Bottle Rocket.'
In the film that would put them on the Hollywood map, Wilson stars alongside his brother Luke (another of Anderson's regulars). Despite being really fond of that movie, Owen revealed his Wes Anderson favorite is actually 'The Darjeeling Limited,' in which he, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman play three brothers meeting in India.
"I guess my favorite. I mean, I always have a soft spot for 'Bottle Rocket' — the first one — but then 'Darjeeling Limited,' he told 'Wired' in February this year.
"I think the story kind of about three brothers was something that, of course, I can relate to. And, I just love being in India."
After 'Bottle Rocket,' Wilson and Anderson co-wrote two other films together, 'Rushmore' and 'The Royal Tenenbaums.' For the latter, they received a nomination at the Academy Awards in 2001.
5 Tilda Swinton Penned Wes Anderson A Letter After Watching 'The Darjeeling Limited'
And it seems that 'The Darjeeling Limited' isn't just Wilson's favorite. Tilda Swinton was so moved by that spiritual journey through India that she penned Anderson a heartfelt letter after watching it.
"I saw 'Bottle Rocket' and I've seen each film since as it came out — in awe. After 'The Darjeeling Limited' in 2007, I wrote him a fan letter, to which he replied. Soon after that he asked me to be in 'Moonrise Kingdom,'" she told 'The New York Times'.
She would also go to star in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'Isle of Dogs' and 'The French Dispatch' and she will appear in the upcoming 'Asteroid City'.
4 Léa Seydoux On Feeling Empowered In Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch'
The French actress, recently seen in 'No Time To Die,' has first worked with Anderson on a Prada commercial, ending up being cast in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and in 'The French Dispatch,' where she plays a prison guard.
In a chat with 'The New York Times,' Seydoux revealed she was given vague indications about her role in the 2021 film and decided to go "with the flow," including when she realized her character Simone would have to get completely naked.
"[Anderson] sent me just the lines, I didn't have the whole script. It was abstract at first. I didn't know if he wanted me to speak French or English; he said maybe both. I didn't know [there would be full-frontal nudity], I didn't understand, I think. I went with the flow — oh OK, I’ll get naked," she said.
"I have no problem with nudity when it has a purpose. I also love the fact that she's completely naked and then in her uniform. You could think she's objectified, but she's not, she's very powerful. It's her choice."
3 McDormand Wasn't Fully On Board With Her French Dispatch Character
Speaking on Anderson's direction on 'The French Dispatch,' McDormand revealed there was a dynamics between two characters she wasn't immediately on board with.
The 'Fargo' star plays Lucinda Krementz, a journalist covering youth revolts and starting a friendship with Timothée Chalamet's Zeffirelli. That friendship morphs into a brief sexual relationship, despite the two characters' age gap.
"I told Wes that I felt strongly that [her character] Krementz and Zeffirelli did NOT have sexual relations," McDormand told 'The New York Times'.
"Wes was very diplomatic with me but did not agree. He asked me not to share my thoughts on this with Timothée. However, I did. Timothée’s reaction was basically, 'Huh.' Our differing opinions didn't seem to change the outcome: Wes was able to convey his choice by having the sound of creaking bedsprings over a shot outside Krementz's bedroom door. I think it works."
2 Adrien Brody Feels Like He's At Summer Camp When He's Filming With Anderson
In that same interview, Adrien Brody appeared to confirm a popular myth surrounding Anderson films, wanting his sets to be a fun environment for all those involved. Except those involved just so happen to be some of the best actors in the business.
Brody likened his experience on the set of 'Asteroid City' in Spain to going to "an actors' summer camp".
"I like all my bunkmates, my mom's visiting me — she's been coming everywhere since 'Darjeeling.' Wes'll put her in the background. My mom's having the time of her life," he added.
1 Bill Murray Keeps Going Back To Wes Anderson For His Humanity
Bill Murray, recently accused of inappropriate behavior on set, is certainly one of the most recurring actors in Wes Anderson's filmography, having appeared in nine out of his ten movies.
"I don't have to go looking for work, anyway. I mean if you did nine movies with Wes Anderson… people will call that a career," he shared with the 'i' paper last year.
As for what draws him back to an Anderson-helmed set, Murray confirmed the legend of convivial sets, where actors and crew work and dine together consistently.
"I keep coming back to the shared humanity of it," the 'Ghostbusters' star said.
"If we can live together, we can work together. If we're living together as humans, politely, with consideration, then [in] your acting… there is going to be more magnetism, there's going to be more exchange of emotion and intelligence."
Wes Anderson's next films, 'Asteroid City' and 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,' don't have release dates yet.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGiunqtdlrulsdGspqdlnaTDqrHSZqmepJGptrC60qGgqWWnnsGpecKaqq1lkZjBtq3LpbBo