Benicio del Toro, the Academy Award-winning actor renowned for his diverse roles in international cinema, recently found himself in a situation as surreal as it was cinematic. The actor was briefly held by TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents at Boston Airport due to a misunderstanding involving the contents of his carry-on luggage.
While on a layover en route to Los Angeles, Del Toro was carrying a printed script for his upcoming film, The Phoenician Scheme, directed by Wes Anderson. Del Toro explained that he prefers to print his scripts in a large font to better manage scene organization and readability. Unfortunately, this particularity sparked the confusion.
During a routine security check, an agent requested to inspect his backpack. Inside, they discovered the script, which opened with the alarming scene title: “Interior Airplane: Bomb.” Subsequent scenes only heightened the concern, with headings like “Interior Cockpit: Eject the Pilot” and “Crash” following suit.
"The guy's reading it, and I tell him, it's a movie script," Del Toro recounted during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. However, the alarm had already been raised. In response, the agent left with the script and returned with five TSA members. They meticulously reviewed the document while Del Toro attempted to clarify the context.
The climax of tension arrived with the arrival of a supervisor. As Del Toro tells it, the supervisor's recognition of him, perhaps from his roles in Sicario or Traffic, shifted the situation. "Finally, the supervisor came over, looked at me, and must have recognized me, and they let me go," Del Toro shared.
Although it wasn't a formal detention, the actor was held long enough for the incident to become a memorable anecdote. Rather than expressing frustration, Del Toro acknowledged the security team’s diligence. "They acted as they should," he remarked.
The TSA Protocol After 9/11
The TSA, the agency tasked with ensuring transportation security in the United States, was established in 2001 as a direct response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Its mission involves maintaining rigorous procedures and high standards to protect U.S. transportation.
Located in Virginia, the TSA headquarters features a permanent exhibit called Mission Hall: Remembering the Past, Informing the Future. This display chronicles the agency's evolution and its role in preventing threats from its inception to the present day. It highlights the TSA's commitment to integrity, professionalism, and vigilance—values reflected in Benicio del Toro's experience.
The Phoenician Scheme: A Tale of International Espionage
The film causing the airport misunderstanding, titled La trama fenicia in Spanish, follows Zsa-zsa Korda, a European mogul entangled in an espionage network alongside his daughter, a nun with whom he shares a complicated relationship. According to FilmAffinity, the movie promises Wes Anderson's signature style, complete with ironic dialogue, meticulous aesthetics, and a stellar cast.
The TSA incident, while leaving no legal repercussions, added an unexpected layer of realism to the script—a scene that could well have been penned by Anderson himself.
FAQs About Benicio del Toro's TSA Incident
Why was Benicio del Toro detained by TSA?
Benicio del Toro was detained due to a misunderstanding caused by a script in his possession that contained alarming scene titles, which raised concerns during a security check.
What was the script about?
The script was for The Phoenician Scheme, a Wes Anderson film involving international espionage and complex relationships, featuring ironic dialogues and meticulous aesthetics.