Stanley Tucci on 'Master Plan': Have one, but don't cling to it
Synopsis
Stanley Tucci, promoting his Prime Video heist thriller 'Master Plan', distilled a four-decade career into one line: have a plan, but don't get attached to it. The 7-time Emmy winner opened up on playing a father-thief whose scheme unravels in the mess of family — and admitted he still isn't sure what's next on his own list.
Key Takeaways
Stanley Tucci is promoting Master Plan , a heist thriller streaming on Prime Video , in which he plays a master thief who reveals mid-heist that his recruits are his own children.
Tucci's philosophy on planning: 'Having a master plan is a really good idea, but don't get too attached to it.' On secrets: Tucci said working on the film reinforced his belief that keeping too many secrets 'doesn't work.' Tucci, 65 , has won 7 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards across a four-decade career spanning The Devil Wears Prada , Spotlight , Conclave , and more.
Future goals include creating artwork and directing a play — though Tucci admits he is 'not quite sure' what comes next.
Actor Stanley Tucci, celebrated for his versatile screen presence, refined personal style, and well-documented passion for food, has a measured philosophy when it comes to life planning: a master plan is worth having — just don't hold on to it too tightly, because life seldom follows the script.
Tucci, whose decorated career has earned him seven Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award, was speaking during the promotional run for his latest project, the heist thriller Master Plan, now streaming on Prime Video.
On Life Rarely Going to Plan
Asked whether a master plan had shaped his own life the way he envisioned, Tucci was candid: 'Some of it worked out. Some of it didn't.' He added, 'I think having a master plan is a really good idea, but don't get too attached to it.'
The 65-year-old also reflected on what working on Master Plan taught him about secrecy — one of the film's central themes. 'Yeah, I would never have as many secrets. It doesn't work,' he said, suggesting the project reinforced his instinct toward openness.
Approaching the Role: Trust, Deception, and Contradiction
Master Plan centres on a master thief who recruits two strangers for an audacious heist targeting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, only to reveal mid-scheme that they are his estranged children. Tucci plays the character navigating the contradiction of exerting control over people he loves.
'Oh, it's a mess. It turns into a mess. Just like parenting,' he said, drawing a wry parallel between the character's predicament and real family dynamics. On playing the tension between manipulation and love, Tucci kept his approach straightforward: 'Everything that he says to them, he has to make them believe it. And therefore, the audience has to believe it. That's all.'
On Acting and the Value of Spontaneity
When asked whether he brings a master plan to his characters or leaves room for happy accidents, Tucci came down firmly on the side of both. 'Accidents have to happen. That's sort of the point of acting and filmmaking… things can become spontaneous. So, you have the master plan, which is the script, but that plan gets altered slightly day by day,' he explained.
It is a philosophy that mirrors his career trajectory — one built on landmark roles across four decades, from The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games franchise to prestige dramas such as Spotlight, Conclave, and Julie & Julia.
What Remains on Tucci's Own Plan
Asked what goals remain unchecked on his own list, Tucci was uncharacteristically uncertain — and refreshingly so. 'I don't know. I don't know. I'd like to do some artwork. I'd like to direct a play again. I'm not quite sure,' he said. For a man who has excelled at acting, directing, and culinary storytelling, the openness itself feels intentional — a living demonstration of the very philosophy he just articulated.
Point of View
From camp satire to Oscar-season drama. His honest 'I don't know what's next' is, ironically, the most credible answer a veteran at his stage can give. The real curiosity is whether 'Master Plan' — a broadly entertaining heist comedy — will add another dimension to that range, or whether Tucci is simply the best thing in it.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stanley Tucci's new project 'Master Plan' about?
'Master Plan' is a heist thriller streaming on Prime Video in which a master thief recruits two strangers for a plot to steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, only to reveal they are his estranged children. Tucci plays the lead — a character who must manipulate the very people he loves to pull off the heist.
What did Stanley Tucci say about having a master plan in life?
Tucci said he believes having a master plan is 'a really good idea,' but cautions against becoming too attached to it since life rarely unfolds exactly as imagined. He acknowledged that parts of his own plan worked out and parts did not.
How many awards has Stanley Tucci won in his career?
Tucci has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, and has received nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award. His career spans over four decades.
What films is Stanley Tucci best known for?
Tucci is recognised for iconic roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games franchise, Spotlight, Conclave, and Julie & Julia, among many others across his four-decade career.
What does Stanley Tucci want to do next in his career?
Tucci said he would like to create artwork and direct a play again, though he admitted he is 'not quite sure' of the specifics. His openness about not having a fixed next step reflects the same philosophy he expressed about life planning.
