Wes Anderson‘s movies have attracted such top talent as Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Benedict Cumberbatch, Margot Robbie, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Bryan Cranston and more over the years. But one actor Anderson can’t seem to bring into his troupe is two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster. During an interview with Collider while on the promotional tour for “The Phoenician Scheme,” Anderson revealed he’s tried with nearly every movie of his to cast Foster and he’s never succeeded.
“Over the years, I had so many movies that I tried to get Jodie Foster to be in,” Anderson said. “It used to be every movie we went to Jodie Foster for a part. And I think I did it three movies in a row, maybe four. And I met her, and I liked her. And I thought it was going to get her. I think she’s just great, Jodie Foster. And I loved her.
“In the first movie she directed, ‘Little Man Tate,’ she plays the mother. Do you remember that movie?” Anderson continued. “She has this real sparkle. She has a lightness in it. It’s just a different kind of character. But anyway, I still would like to get Jodie Foster. But I guess after asking few times, I thought maybe I’m not… I think sometimes somebody has an idea of the kind of work they want to do at that time in his or her life, and we weren’t right.”
When asked to name names of the specific movies he tried to cast Foster in, Anderson politely declined and explained: “Well, I don’t like to say, because if I say, then you say, ‘Oh, you mean so-and-so, who’s in the movie, wasn’t your first choice?’ And so I don’t want that to be a thing. But she’s pretty amazing, Jodie Foster.”
Variety has reached out to Foster’s representative for comment.
Whether or not Anderson gets the chance to work with Foster one day remains to be seen. The Oscar winner is ultra-selective when it comes to acting roles these days. She’s only made three films in the 2020s, earning an Oscar nomination for “Nyad” and recently attending Cannes for the premiere of her French-language drama “A Private Life.” Anderson was also at the festival for the premiere of “The Phoenician Scheme.” Both movies debuted in competition.
“The Phoenician Scheme” is now playing in limited release and expands nationwide June 6.
