Has the Ocean’s Eleven prequel, starring Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper, finally found its director?
When it was first greenlit three years ago, Jay Roach was set to direct. Many delays later, the project had undergone a few key changes in front of and behind the camera: Roach was out, and “Twisters” and “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung became his replacement. Cooper also replaced original co-lead Ryan Gosling.
Then, just last month, Chung suddenly exited the project. The reason given was “creative differences.” A search for a new director was underway as a planned shoot this summer was in the works. Puck’s Matt Belloni is now reporting that Cooper has decided to take the reins himself and direct the damn thing; no deal has been signed just yet, but it sounds practically sealed.
Cooper is coming off directing the rom-com “Is This Thing On?”—released in December—which was not as ambitious as his first two directorial efforts, “A Star Is Born” or “Maestro.” Rather, it felt more like a pit stop for him: taking a break from Oscar bait and telling a much more modest, unassuming story in the process.
The fact that Cooper has decided to make “Oceans” his next directing job means he’s continuing that break from Oscar bait, at least for the time being. Remember, before Timothée Chalamet, Cooper was the most criticized nominee on social media for desperately wanting an Oscar. His bullish “Maestro” awards campaigning was, unfairly, criticized as being try-hard, desperate, agonizing, and thirsty, among many other things. Then Chalamet came in two years later and asked Cooper to hold his beer.
Regardless, Cooper’s recent focus on tackling non-Oscar material is clearly purposeful, and probably meant to recalibrate expectations.
Although plot specifics for “Oceans” are said to be “locked,” according to Deadline, Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman previously reported that the film would be titled “Oceans,” with Cooper and Robbie playing the parents of Danny Ocean, the character portrayed by George Clooney in Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven.”
In the film, the Oceans will teach their children—young Danny and Debbie (the latter originally played by Sandra Bullock)—the art of stealing from the rich. Set against the backdrop of the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, the project has been described as a stylish, old-school caper inspired by Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief.”
The current screenplay is by Carrie Solomon, who wrote the ill-received 2024 Netflix movie “A Family Affair.” Cooper will now be taking over writing duties. As mentioned, production is supposed to kickstart this summer in Monaco.