Now, via Deadline, there is news that Cooper may also re-write and direct the new movie, in addition to his acting duties.
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The news comes on the heels of ‘Twisters’ director Lee Isaac Chung stepped away from the movie, citing creative differences with the studio and star/producer Robbie.
Yet Deadline also cautions that Cooper has signed no deals yet, so all this is still up in the air.
The cast of 2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
The script remains a secret, though previous stories hinted that it’ll be set in 1962, and focus on a pair of thieves who target expensive earrings during a mansion event followed by a plot to steal precious diamond in Monte Carlo.
Seeking payback after something goes wrong, they recruit a team to sabotage his Monaco Grand Prix victory and swipe the gem. And, if the connection to the ‘Ocean’s franchise holds true, they might just be the parents of Danny Ocean, as played by George Clooney in the main movies.
Carrie Solomon wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay, but Cooper, assuming he does actually end up working on the movie, may start afresh.
When will the ‘Ocean’s’ prequel movie be on screens?
We’ve yet to learn when the film will land in cinemas, and Deadline’s story mentions an attempt to have it shooting before the end of this year, so 2027 is still possible.
Margot Robbie at the Los Angeles World Premiere of ‘Wuthering Heights’. Photo Credit: David Jon Photography.
Margot Robbie is already aboard to star and produce.
Lee Isaac Chung will call the shots.
Looks like the tide is truly turning on the ‘Ocean’s movies. Though perhaps given the true themes of the franchise, it should be the odds are switching in their favor.
But just a few days after George Clooney offered a positive update on the status of the latest main entry, ‘Ocean’s Fourteen’, comes an update on the prequel movie set in the same cinematic universe.
The cast of 2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
The script remains a secret, though previous stories hinted that it’ll be set in 1962, and focus on a pair of thieves who target expensive earrings during a mansion event followed by a plot to steal precious diamond in Monte Carlo.
Seeking payback after something goes wrong, they recruit a team to sabotage his Monaco Grand Prix victory and swipe the gem. And, if the connection to the ‘Ocean’s franchise holds true, they might just be the parents of Danny Ocean, as played by Clooney in the main movies.
This marks a change in casting terms –– for a while, it looked like the movie would be a ‘Barbie’ reunion for Robbie and Ryan Gosling, but Gosling has since dropped out of talks. Go back to your mojo dojo casa house, Ken!
Cooper, meanwhile, has wanted to work with Robbie for a while now, and finally seems to be getting the opportunity. He enthused about his future co-star’s worth ethic to Variety:
Cooper’s latest directorial effort, comedy drama ‘Is This Thing On?’ recently premiered at the New York Film Festival.
The movie, inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop, stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern, with Cooper taking a supporting role.
When will the ‘Ocean’s’ prequel movie be on screens?
We’ve yet to learn when this one will land in cinemas, but the Cooper development suggests it’ll be shooting next year, so 2027 is a likely release year.
(L to R) George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
George Clooney says ‘Ocean’s 14’ budget has been approved.
The movie, with director David Leitch attached, should be shooting next year.
Stars Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle are all likely to return.
It has been years since we last saw the heist-happy crew of the ‘Ocean’s’ movies. There has been chatter about an ‘Ocean’s 14’ in recent years, and things are clearly moving forward. ‘The Fall Guy’s David Leitch was reported as in talks to direct in January, and now, per star/producer George Clooney says that it’s looking good for production in 2026.
“We just got the budget approved at Warner Bros. and we’re trying to set up. It’s just scheduling, so it’s just setting a start date for us. Probably start in about nine or 10 months, shooting.”
The cast of 2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
The original ‘Ocean’s’ trilogy, directed by Steven Soderbergh, launched in 2001 with ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ a critical favorite and a commercial hit with just over $450 million at the worldwide box office.
Things have been quiet of late –– presumably because the script has proved a tough nut to crack. Still, there is some news to report now, with Deadline bringing word that ‘Twisters’Lee Isaac Chung is in talks to direct the movie.
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Robbie and Gosling are not confirmed for the movie just yet, but if Chung makes a deal, it points to some positive forward movement.
The cast of 2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Deadline’s report mentions that the script remains secret, though previous stories brought word that it’ll be set in 1962, and focus on a pair of thieves who target expensive earrings during a mansion event followed by a plot to steal precious diamond in Monte Carlo.
Seeking payback after something goes wrong, they recruit a team to sabotage his Monaco Grand Prix victory and swipe the gem.
Carrie Solomon wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay, but there may well have been others involved since then.
The likes of Jay Roach and Molly Rose have been talked up as directors previously, but it would seem Chung is the current choice given the success of ‘Twisters’.
What else is happening in the ‘Ocean’s world?
George Clooney in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
But since those initial stories there has been little update.
Clooney, who is a producer on the ‘Ocean’s franchise in addition to its lead actor, told Uproxx about a development for the future back in 2023:
“We have a really good script for another ‘Ocean’s’ now, so we may end up doing another one. It’s actually a great script. the idea is kind of like ‘Going in Style.’ ”
(Left) David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures. (Right) George Clooney and Brad Pit in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Preview:
David Leitch is in talks to direct ‘Ocean’s Fourteen.’
George Clooney, Brad Pitt and other leads would likely return.
Warner Bros. is backing the movie as always.
Las Vegas casinos, you might want to check your security setup. Because the ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ crew is looking to pay another visit.
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At least, that’s the plan for Warner Bros. and George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures company, which have been trying for a few years now to put together an ‘Ocean’s Fourteen.’
It would aim to reunite the reunite the crew from the previous outing, which includes Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and more for a new movie.
Yet while Clooney seems committed to coming back, director Steven Soderbergh is apparently sitting this one out, having handled the previous three main entries.
There were rumours last year that Edward Berger, who made the Oscar-winning ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ (and is back in awards contention with ‘Conclave’) was in talks to take it on, but he denied them in an interview with Collider:
“Well, I feel very honored that people think of me to be able to do something like that, and of course, I would love the challenge to do either, but again, it’s rumors that are just people wanting to print some news that just have no basis in fact.”
It’s not exactly considered the greatest movie ever made, so a remake was a smart move.
The updated ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ landed in 2001, with Soderbergh directing from a script by Ted Griffin.
Clooney played Ocean, with his crew including Pitt, Damon, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac and more. They staged a sophisticated and elaborate casino heist involving robbing three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously during a popular boxing event.
It was a success for Warner Bros., earning $450 million from an $85 million budget.
Its 2004 sequel, the Europe-set ‘Ocean’s Twelve,’ also directed by Soderbergh (with a script this time by George Nolfi) saw Danny rustle up one more team member so he can pull off three major European heists and help his team pay back debts.
With a bigger budget ($110 million) it wasn’t quite as successful, but still earned $320 million.
The final film in the Soderbergh-directed trilogy, 2007’s ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ had Brian Koppelman and David Levien on scripting duty and had Danny rounding up the crew for a third heist after casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould).
With a budget reduced back down to $85 million, it crept close to ‘Twelve’s earnings with $311 worldwide.
In 2018, we got spin-off ‘Ocean’s Eight,’ directed by Gary Ross from a script he wrote with Olivia Milch.
The movie was budgeted around the $70 million mark and earned $297 million worldwide.
What has George Clooney said about a new ‘Ocean’s’ movie?
George Clooney in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Clooney, who is a producer on the ‘Ocean’s franchise in addition to its lead actor, told Uproxx about a development for the future back in 2023:
“We have a really good script for another ‘Ocean’s’ now, so we may end up doing another one. It’s actually a great script. the idea is kind of like ‘Going in Style.’ ”
David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.
Leitch has spun quite the career from his days as a stuntman doubling for Keanu Reeves. After graduating to stunt coordinator and second-unit director, he co-directed ‘John Wick’ with action colleague Chad Stahelski.
Last year’s ‘The Fall Guy,’ which starred Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, didn’t succeed at the box office but doesn’t seem to have hurt Leitch’s prospects.
He’s also a producer via his 87North company and has the likes of ‘Love Hurts‘ and ‘Nobody 2’ on the way in that capacity.
Wasn’t there another ‘Ocean’s movie in the works?
‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
With Jay Roach reportedly directing, Carrie Solomon’s script is set in Europe in the 1960s and may see Gosling and Robbie as Danny Ocean’s heist-happy parents.
There has been little movement on that one recently, so we’ll wait and see if it actually comes to fruition.
But later in 2024, we’ll see them in meatier roles for a new crime thriller called ‘The Instigators’, in which they play two thieves pulling off a desperate robbery.
Apple TV+ was quick to snap this one up and has the first images from the movie online.
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What’s the story of ‘The Instigators’?
Rory (Damon) and Cobby (Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to pull off a robbery of the ill-gained earnings of a corrupt politician. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police, but also backwards bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses.
Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture –– or worse.
And for Damon, this was a chance to reunite with his ‘Bourne Identity’ director. This is what he said:
“I absolutely love working with Doug. I can’t believe it took us 20 years to find something else to do together. Doug is one of the most creatively tenacious people I’ve ever met. He just won’t stop until the movie is as good as it can be, and that is the best possible thing you can feel from a director. I trust him completely.”
“‘The Instigators’ is about two strangers who are hired for a heist. They become frenemies and then become friends while Jack Harlow yells at us, Paul Walter Hauser insults us, Ving Rhames hunts us, and Hong Chau keeps us alive.”
When will ‘The Instigators’ land on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ will start streaming the new movie on August 9th. Hopefully Liman is already aware it’ll be going directly there; we don’t need another ‘Road House’ protest.
(L to R) Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in ‘The Instigators’. Photo: Apple TV+.
(L to R) George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Universal Pictures’ ‘Ticket to Paradise,’ directed by Ol Parker. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.
Julia Roberts is one of the most popular actresses of all time!
From ‘Pretty Woman’ to ‘Erin Brockovich,’ everyone loves Julia Roberts!
Her new comedy, ‘Ticket to Paradise‘ reunites Roberts with her ‘Ocean’s Eleven‘ and ‘Money Monster’ co-star George Clooney, and opens in theaters on October 21st.
In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the fifteen best Julia Roberts movies of all time.
When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher (Roberts).
Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt), a reluctant bagman, has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as “the Mexican”… or suffer the consequences.
The second is from his girlfriend Samantha (Roberts) to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.
Danny Ocean (Clooney) reunites with his old flame and the rest of his merry band of thieves in carrying out three huge heists in Rome, Paris and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels. Roberts reprises her role as Tess Ocean, and also plays herself in the film.
A young woman (Roberts) fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her nightmarish marriage, but discovers it is impossible to elude her controlling husband (Patrick Bergin).
Five medical students (Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) want to find out if there is life after death. They plan to stop one of their hearts for a few seconds, thus simulating death, and then bring the person back to life.
A young beautician (Daryl Hannah), newly arrived in a small Louisiana town, finds work at the local salon, where a small group of women (Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Roberts) share a close bond of friendship and welcome her into the fold.
Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student (Roberts) has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist (Denzel Washington) wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.
When she receives word that her longtime platonic pal Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) is getting married to debutante Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz), food critic Julianne Potter (Roberts) realizes her true feelings for Michael — and sets out to sabotage the wedding.
The true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson’s (Tom Hanks) covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets had some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. Also starring Roberts, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
William Thacker (Hugh Grant ) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American actress Anna Scott (Roberts) appears in his shop. A chance encounter over spilled orange juice leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. As the average bloke and glamorous movie star draw closer and closer together, they struggle to reconcile their radically different lifestyles in the name of love.
A twice-divorced mother of three (Roberts) who sees an injustice, takes on the bad guy and wins — with a little help from her push-up bra. Erin goes to work for an attorney and comes across medical records describing illnesses clustered in one nearby town. She starts investigating and soon exposes a monumental cover-up. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
When a millionaire wheeler-dealer Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) enters a business contract with Hollywood hooker Vivian Ward (Roberts), he loses his heart in the bargain.
Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’
Robbie Coltrane, a beloved actor and comedian who became world famous for his portrayal of half-giant/half-wizard Hagrid in the ‘Harry Potter’ movie franchise, has died. He was 72.
Coltrane’s career was full of an eclectic batch of roles, spanning comedy and drama, and he earned many fans for some very different characters.
Born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland the son of a doctor and teacher, he initially pursued art as a potential career. After graduating from Glasgow Art School, he continued his studies in art at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.
But when his efforts to become an artist didn’t work out, Coltrane switched to stand-up comedy in Edinburgh clubs. As part of the new path, changed his last name in honor of the jazz legend John Coltrane and began looking for work as an actor in London.
Before his movie career truly got going however, Coltrane paid his dues on British TV, making guest appearances in shows such as ‘The Young Ones’ and ‘Minder’ before his first breakout in 1987 miniseries ‘Tutti Frutti’.
Robbie Coltrane as Paul Finchley in the British TV series ‘National Treasure.’
He became known as a man who could switch seamlessly between comedy and drama, working on series including ‘Blackadder’, ‘A Kick Up the Eighties’, ‘The Comic Strip’ and ‘Alfresco’.
Perhaps his biggest role on television was that of Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a hard-drinking, cynical, smart (and smart-mouthed) psychologist who consulted with the police and had a gift for solving crimes in ‘Cracker’. Jimmy McGovern’s series ran for 25 episodes between 1993 and 2006.
That performance (for which the actor won a BAFTA) helped boost his profile once more, and he played Russian mobster Valentin Zukovsky in two Bond movies, ‘GoldenEye’ and ‘The World Is Not Enough’.
And then there was Hagrid. Cast by director Chris Columbus and the team for the adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ as the hulking half-wizard, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, he became a firm fan favorite, and recalled the job as one that will stand the test of time.
“The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” he said during the 20th anniversary special on HBO Max this year. “So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes.”
Coltrane, who received an OBE in 2006, had been ill for the last couple of years and died at a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. He’s survived by two children and will be sadly missed.
Ever since the franchise born from ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ did big business, there have been attempts to cash in once again, with the most recent example being the Sandra Bullock-starring ‘Ocean’s Eight’ in 2018.
Now, Warner Bros. is looking to bet big on Margot Robbie starring in and producing her own version. And director Jay Roach, who worked with Robbie (helping her to an Oscar nomination in the process) on Roger Ailes sexual misconduct drama ‘Bombshell’.
That movie generated over $450 million worldwide in theatrical business alone, and Warners was quick to have Soderbergh reunite his cast (adding even more celebrity talent for good measure) for two follow-ups, ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ in 2004 and 2007’s ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’.
Robbie and Roach don’t appear to be aiming for a basic remake of the Soderbergh film. Instead, they have Carrie Solomon, a relative newcomer who has one script, ‘My Boyfriend’s Wedding’, in development, writing a screenplay that turns the clock back to the 1960s.
Details are scarce, but it’s apparently a new heist story set in Europe, and we’d expect Robbie to be fronting a female-focused ensemble.
(L to R) George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt in 2004’s ‘Ocean’s Twelve.’
However, the movie has yet to receive a formal greenlight from the studio but is in active development. All involved are stacking the deck with the hope of starting shooting next year.
Robbie has become a valuable part of Warner Bros.’ stable – since appearing in 2015’s ‘Focus’, she’s worked on several movies for the studio, including ‘The Legend of Tarzan’, ‘Suicide Squad’, ‘Birds of Prey’, and last year’s ‘The Suicide Squad’. She’s currently filming toy adaptation ‘Barbie’, co-written and directed by Greta Gerwig, which is sounding like a fascinating take on the idea.
And Robbie has also branched out as a producer via her LuckyChap company, backing not only her own movies, but helping the likes of ‘Promising Young Woman’ make it to screens.
Roach, meanwhile, made his name with comedy movies such as the ‘Austin Powers’ and ‘Meet the Parents’ trilogies, but has branched out to comedy dramas with his TV work, which includes ‘Recount’ and ‘Game Change’ for HBO. His most recent job was directing and producing all the episodes of comedy ‘High Desert’ for Apple TV+, which stars Patricia Arquette and Matt Dillon.
(L to R) Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson in 2018’s ‘Ocean’s Eight.’
