It was just earlier this week that we learned of the incredible cast being put together to join Sandra Bullock in a planned all-female Ocean’s Eleven spinoff. On top of Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Elizabeth Banks and Mindy Kaling all joining the production, we also learned that the movie’s production title was Ocean’s Ocho. It appears something got lost in translation though.
While chatting to /Film about his latest film, the historical action-drama Free State of Jones, director Gary Ross revealed that film’s official title will in fact be Ocean’s Eight. No Spanish subtitles needed it seems, as Ocho was just a nickname Ross and co had given the production.
And speaking about that “co”, we already know that original star George Clooney will possibly revive his role as gentleman thief Danny Ocean in this spinoff and will also be pulling executive producer duties. Joining Clooney as an exec producer will be Steven Soderbergh who of course directed all three previous Ocean’s films. Across all three films, Soderbergh kept a very definitive, very consistent jazzy flavour – which begs the question whether Ross will keep that up or do his own thing with this movie?
Well it appears that shouldn’t expect too much deviation from what was already a winning formula, while Ross went on to explain that he and Soderbergh have been working together much closer than some may think, and Soderbergh didn’t just hand over the directing reins to just anybody off the street.
I think it’s a pretty similar tone. You know, Steven Soderbergh and I are incredibly close friends, and we would not have done this if we weren’t. I don’t think he would’ve wanted anyone to do it if we weren’t. This is very much an extension and a continuation. He’s a producer on the movie. In one way or another, this has been a 20-year conversation between Steven and I, collaborating in ways the whole world doesn’t know about: I helped him on the previous Ocean’s Eleven films; he shot second unit on The Hunger Games; I’ve done ADR lines for him; and he reads all my scripts. It’s a very long, ongoing collaboration. This, I think, is a very seamless process.
We’re different filmmakers, obviously, so there will be those differences, but one of the things I’m drawn to is the amazing tone Steven was able to create, and we discuss that a lot. We discuss the cinema a lot, the shooting style, the rhythm, the editing style, and the music. We discuss it all. I’m in no way trying to reinvent the tone, and I’m thrilled and honored to be extending it. It’s really fun to work with.
Cool. Despite the fact that the two Ocean‘s sequels definitely dipped in quality after the entertaining brilliance of Ocean’s Eleven, there’s no denying the overall appeal of the franchise and especially that vibey atmosphere they all had. With the amazing cast that Ross is assembling, if he nails the tone – like it seems he’s aiming for – then this could turn damn good.
Last Updated: June 17, 2016
