An “Ocean’s Eleven” prequel is set to shoot in 2026, with Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper leading the cast. Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”) is directing, and Linus Sandgren (“La La Land,” “Saltburn,” “Babylon”) will be DP.
Here now is a report that the great Benicio del Toro is in negotiations to join the cast of the upcoming Ocean’s prequel. While character details remain under wraps, del Toro is reportedly being eyed for a potential antagonist role.
Del Toro, Robbie, and Cooper certainly make for a compelling lineup — and there are still additional cast members yet to be revealed. The film has been in development at Warner Bros. since May 2022; at one point, Ryan Gosling was set to star opposite Robbie, with Jay Roach attached to direct.
Although plot specifics 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 was 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.” Solomon has no other writing credits listed on her IMDb page.
Furthermore, George Clooney recently confirmed that he would be shooting “Ocean’s 14” next year with Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. So, yes, we might be getting two separate Oceans movies in production next year, a prequel and a sequel. It’s all a bit too much, but Warner Bros, no doubt motivated by their massive box-office year, believes it’s time to revive this franchise.
As for del Toro — a generational and undervalued actor — love the guy. His best work can be found in such films as “Traffic,” “Sicario,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Che,” and “21 Grams.” He also stands a good chance of earning his third Oscar nom for his playful work in “One Battle After Another.”