Wes Andersonis known for hisstunning visuals and aesthetically pleasingfilms that stick with you a long time after you watch them. He has quite a list of films on his roster and dabbles in both live-action and stop-motion films. His movies often have a lot of heart whenit comes to the deeper meaning, such as the plot that followsFantastic Mr. Foxand the despair one feels when it feels like you’re not good enough.
Like any filmmaker, he has underrated projects such asBottle Rocket, as well as critically acclaimed films such asThe Grand Budapest Hotel.Anderson’s calling card is often using the same actors in his movies, keeping it close to the chest as he casts what seems to be his favorite actors and actressesover and over again in his projects. Plus, he’s known for having an ensemble cast fill his movies, with several familiar stars playing weird and often quirky characters that you either love or hate.
His newest projectisAsteroid City, which has one of the biggest casts to date, filled with so many stars it might shock you. Asteroid City, based in the 1950s, follows a small village that hosts a junior stargazing convention, which quickly gets interrupted by alien encounters and what comes after. Several people gather in this quirky town to attend the convention, and strange things start to take place, as well as romance and unexpected friendships. Since the cast list is so long, it could get confusing with who you should expect to see in this highly anticipated film, so let’s take a look at this extensive ensemble.
Asteroid CityisTom Hanks’ first collaboration with Wes Anderson, but he is genuinely one of the most well-known actors in this list and the rest of the film world. He has a highly recognizable voice, and if you’re under the age of thirty, you most likely know him for lending his voice to Woody the cowboy in theToy Storyfranchise. His live-action movies are just as great, especially when he was younger, creating an iconic list of films that are treasured by so many people:Cast Away, Forrest Gump, Big, Sleepless in Seattle, and more.
Hanks is also quite the comedian, appearing in memorable SNL skits such as David S. Pumpkins. Hopefully, Hanks doesn’t announce any sort of retirement plan anytime soon and continues to appear on our screens, whether in animated form or live action.
Related:The Best Characters In Wes Anderson Movies, Ranked
Jason Schwartzman
Jason Schwartzmanand Wes Anderson are known for being a pretty tight duo in the film world, and Schwartzman has been in several of Anderson’s projects. In fact,Asteroid Citywill be his eighth project with the well-known filmmaker, solidifying the fact that he and Anderson are in fact close. His first ever acting role was in Anderson’sRushmorewhen he was just 18 years old, and he’s often praised for his character portrayal.
Besides his roles in Anderson’s movies, Schwartzman has a recognizable acting range and has starred in several movies and shows in his career so far. Perhaps you know him fromScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldas Gideon Graves. Something to look forward to besidesAsteroid Cityis his role inThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, where he will portray Lucky Flickerman, who we can assume is the distant relative of Caesar Flickerman from the original movie.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johanssonis easily recognizable, like Tom Hanks, because it’s easy to assume you immediately thought of her character, Black Widow. Johansson spent several years of her acting career portraying the highly trained assassin in the Marvel Universe, a close friend to Hawkeye and an ally to her fellow superheroes. Her death was one of the most talked-about deaths following the end of Phase 3 in the MCU.
Moving away from Black Widow, Johansson has an extensive list of critically acclaimed projects, such asMarriage Story, Jojo Rabbit, andHer. Not only is she well-versed in film, but Johansson was also on Broadway after growing up in Manhattan, coming from a family full of artists, and she has a Tony Award for her involvement inA View From the Bridgein 2010.
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wrighthas a name you might not recognize but a face you definitely do, appearing in a number of things you most likely have seen. Wright started on Broadway, and his portrayal of Norman “Belize” Arriaga won him a Tony award. From there, Wright’s career really took off as he started to land major roles in huge blockbuster films, such as Felix Leiter in Daniel Craig’s 007 films.
He appeared in all three, with the franchise coming to an end in 2021 withNo Time to Die. In 2013, he took on the role of Beetee inThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire.He linked up with Wes Anderson in 2019 for the filmThe French Dispatch, and he’s making his comeback inAsteroid City. His newest major role was as James Gordon in 2022’sThe Batman.
Tilda Swinton
How can you see the nameTilda Swintonand not think of the iconic scene fromNarniabetween her character the White Witch and Edmund, and the Turkish delights? Swinton is a fantastic British actress who is no stranger to Wes Anderson films, appearing in quite a few of his projects such asMoonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, The French Dispatch, and now,Asteroid City.
Swinton went on to appear in the Marvel universe as the Ancient One inDoctor Strange, as well as inAvengers: Endgame. Swinton’s other works that you might know her from areSusipria, Okja, andWe Need to Talk About Kevin.
Related:Here’s Why Wes Anderson’s Movies Always Star the Same People
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranstonis what we consider to be a Renaissance man. He truly does it all, from Broadway to television, movies, video games, and more. First things first, we have to acknowledge his comedy approach with his character Hal inMalcolm in the Middle. When the series ended in 2006, Cranston didn’t have to wait long to be offered another huge role two years later.
Walter White fromBreaking Badis one of the most iconic characters from a television series, having much influence over other shows and media. Cranston is also a director, and he worked on one of the funniest later episodes ofThe Office, “Work Bus”, and we thank him for saving the ninth season of the sitcom. Other movies you might know him from areWhy Him?, Little Miss Sunshine, Godzilla, andJerry and Marge Go Large.
Edward Norton
Edward Norton, the Incredible Hulk that got away Don’t get us wrong; Mark Ruffalo is a fantastic Hulk and brought the character to new heights, but Norton was cut from the franchise far too soon and could have had it all with Bruce Banner. Norton is most known for starring inFight Clubas the Narrator, taking the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions throughout the cult classic.
From there, he started to link up with Wes Anderson years later in several films, includingMoonrise Kingdom,The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, andThe French Dispatch.Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mysterywas an instant smash hit, and his role was praised, confirming we need more Edward Norton.
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brodywas interested in acting at a very young age. At just thirteen, he was in his first off-Broadway show, and from there, his career took off. Brody has an interesting career, and the roles he missed out on are quite huge, such as playing The Joker in the 2008Batmanas well as Spock in JJ AbramsStar Trek. You most likely know Brody from the widely receivedPianist, which gained several nominations and wins, or maybeMidnight in Paris, where he played Salvador Dalí.
He’s worked with Wes Anderson a number of times, like many people on this lengthy list, but proves that he can also star in television series and be just as notable. He starred in two episodes of the hit showSuccessionand received an Emmy nomination for his role as Josh Aaronson.
Liev Schreiber
Liev Schreibergot his start in Hollywood by writing a screenplay forEverything Is Illuminatedin 2005. From there, he starred in several independent films, such asWalking and Talking, Big Night, The Daytrippers, andDenise Calls Up.Schreiber got his first big break when he landed the role of Cotton Weary in theScreamfranchise, becoming a somewhat important character in Sidney Prescott’s journey to stay alive.
As time went on and his career became more prominent, he started to take on characters that were burly and somewhat aggressive, such asChuckandGoon, and lent his voice toSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. You might also know him from the hit crime showRay Donovan.
Hope Davis
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Hope Davis, unlike other actors on this list, has a neat balance of projects in both movies and television, as well as Broadway. She made her film debut in the hit horror movieFlatliners, and from there she became a recognizable actress. She had a brief role inHome Aloneand joined Liev Schreiber inThe Daytrippers, gaining a steady amount of indie films under her belt. InCaptain America: Civil War, she portrayed Tony Stark’s mother, who was brutally murdered by a brainwashed Bucky Barnes.
In her earlier years, she appeared in a handful of episodes ofDeadlineandSix Degrees. In recent years, you might have seen her in the showYour Honoras Gina Baxter, as well as Sandi Furness inSuccession.
