The roulette wheel that has been the Ocean’s 11 prequel took another turn. Originally set to shoot in 2023 with Jay Roach directing and Margot Robbie reuniting with Ryan Gosling, things changed when Roach dropped out, and Bradley Cooper stepped in for Gosling. Twisters and Minari director Lee Isaac Chung replaced Roach, but now Chung is also gone.
In a statement issued to Deadline by Warner Bros., Chung’s exit is “an amicable split due to creative differences.”
WB and Robbie’s banner LuckyChap also issued a joint statement that echoed the sentiment…
“Lee Isaac is a singular filmmaking talent whose vision and partnership have been invaluable to Warner Bros. and LuckyChap throughout this journey. Our experience with him has only deepened our enthusiasm to collaborate on future projects together.”
Robbie and Cooper remain aboard the film, which is expected to shoot this year. The search for a new director is underway.
The plot is rumored to be set in 1960s Europe, with Robbie and Cooper playing the parents of Danny Ocean, the character played by George Clooney in three Ocean’s movies. Carrie Solomon (A Family Affair) wrote the screenplay.
There’s reason for WB to keep this franchise alive. From its Rat Pack origin in 1960, a trio of films led by Steven Soderbergh, and the all-female Ocean’s 8 spinoff, it’s made well over $1.4B globally. Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and the whole gang are set to reunite later this year on Ocean’s 14, as well.
