(Credits: Far Out / YouTube Still)
Sun 9 November 2025 22:45, UK
With names like Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Bruce Willis, and Ben Stiller under his belt, you would think that Wes Anderson wouldn’t have a hard time casting anybody that he wanted.
In fact, whether it’s an A-lister or not, a request from the one and only Wes Anderson probably only gets turned down…well, never. Because not only does it give someone the opportunity to work with one of the greatest filmmakers in history, it also gives them the chance to be involved in the next Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums, and so on.
That said, one of the most mesmerising aspects of Anderson isn’t just his style as one of this century’s most instantly recognisable filmmakers. According to those who have worked with him, it’s also how unique he holds his own space in other places, giving off the same kind of idiosyncratic aura of many of the great historic artistic filmmakers have, leaving an impression that’s impossible to forget.
One such instance was revealed by long-term muse and collaborator Bill Murray, who has worked with Anderson in almost every single one of his films. Interestingly, however, one of Murray’s moments together wasn’t anything that occurred on set or on-screen, and actually happened at an after-party once, when he realised that maybe Anderson was unique in more ways than one.
“I think the most fun we had was getting Wes Anderson to dance at the wrap party of Rushmore,” Murray told Dazed. “He had been so focused, and I made him get out on the dancefloor, and he’s a very interesting dancer. That’s the only word that describes it. You have to see it to believe it. It’s like he has his own language or something.”
As is clear, therefore, working with Anderson is memorable for countless reasons. And while he might not be everybody’s cup of tea, namely because of the frequent recollections of underpaying actors and his meticulous attention to detail, most actors never pass up the opportunity whenever it comes a-knockin’. Except for some, and one in particular that remains a head-scratcher to Anderson to this day.
“Some do say no to me,” Anderson once told Metro, admitting elsewhere that Jodie Foster is someone he approaches to be involved in almost every single project, and every single time, she turns it down. He told Collider, “Over the years, I had so many movies that I tried to get Jodie Foster to be in. 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. And I think she’s just great, Jodie Foster. And I loved her.”
While no one knows exactly why Foster feels the need to reject Anderson, there are likely a few reasons, including scheduling and creative differences. She’s also been candid about such moves in the past, having rejected projects she feels are “silly” or that she just doesn’t feel any specific emotional connection to. She also once said that she never understood why certain actors accept roles in “bad” movies, so it’s likely that any Anderson script that comes through her door just doesn’t feel up to her standard.
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