Followed by Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy, the director announced that there would not be a fourth film in the series. However, in 2015, it was revealed that Gary Ross would be working on an all-female Ocean’s spinoff starring Sandra Bullock in the lead role. It would star Bullock as Danny Ocean’s younger sister, Debbie Ocean, who assembles a group of seven other women to steal a diamond necklace from the Met Gala.
It featured an ensemble cast alongside the Speed actress, including Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, and of course Helena Bonham Carter. However, later reports suggest that Bullock and Blanchett were not the makers’ initial choices to lead the 2018 film.
Sandra Bullock Was Not Studio’s First Choice For Ocean’s 8
Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett starrer Ocean’s 8 follows Debbie Ocean planning the biggest heist of her life with her partner in crime Lou Miller. Although it didn’t make as much as its predecessors at the box office, it did pretty well, earning $297 million worldwide.
It received mostly positive reviews, however, many were still critical of the Bird Box actress’ performance in the movie. And it was later revealed that the film could have been quite different, with the initial cast the studio had in mind for the spin-off.
According to a report by The Playlist, the film’s director, Gary Ross, wanted to cast Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie as the leads in the movie. However, being some of the biggest stars in the industry, Robbie and Lawrence did not have time for the Ocean’s spin-off. Their busy schedule would have allegedly delayed its production by over a year.
And this was the reason Ross decided to cast the Oscar Winning stars in the movie. It is also believed that the film starring Margot Robbie and Jennifer Lawrence would have been quite different from the 2018 film, as it could have potentially featured a younger version of Debbie and Lou. However, no such details have officially been released.
Margot Robbie and Jennifer Lawrence Could Join Future Ocean’s Movies
While Margot Robbie and Jennifer Lawrence were not able to join the cast of Gary Ross’ 2018 film, there are possibilities they can join the franchise in the future. There have been reports about a prequel to the 2001 film in the Ocean’s franchise.
The potential prequel would reportedly star Ryan Gosling alongside Margot Robbie. Reports also claimed that the filming for the prequel is set to start this summer. Not many details about the project are available yet, however, it is expected to take place in the same timeline that would connect the 2001 film.
It is also believed that the film might be a reboot of Lewis Milestone’s 1960 film, Ocean’s 11. However, the studio has not revealed official details about the prequel so far. As for The Hunger Games star, she is expected to join the possible sequel of Ocean’s 8.
The Ocean’s franchise is available on Prime Video.
Source: The Playlist
