Margot Robbie's 'Ocean's Eleven' prequel suffers another blow after losing its director - again
Critics' Choice Award winner Lee Isaac Chung has exited Margot Robbie's heist film 'Ocean's Eleven' prequel over 'creative differences,' a Warner Bros. spokesperson told Deadline. However, this is not the first time the project has lost its director. Chung took over the reins of the film from the previous director, Jay Roach, in July 2025. The project was first announced by Warner Bros. in 2022, four years after the franchise's last film, 'Ocean's Eight,' which premiered in 2018. The studio began developing the franchise's new instalment, with Robbie set to star and produce. She had starred in Roach's 2019 film 'Bombshell,' and her performance earned her a 'Best Supporting Actress' Oscar nomination under his direction.
After Chung's departure, Warner Bros. and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, released a joint statement, emphasizing that the decision was amicable. "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." The studio will continue its search for a new director for the untitled heist film, which has been in development hell for the past four years.
Earlier, Bradley Cooper and Robbie's 'Barbie' co-star Ryan Gosling were in talks, at different times, to star opposite Robbie, but no other cast member has been confirmed so far. The only other confirmed casting is that of Carrie Solomon, who signed on to write the film's screenplay in 2022. Moreover, the film's plot details haven't been revealed yet, but the untitled project is set in 1960s Europe. It will likely serve as a prequel to the 2001 film, which itself was a remake of the 1960s film 'Ocean's 11,' starring the 'Rat Pack' members Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop.
The film was rebooted in 2001 with 'Ocean's Eleven,' and its success paved the way for sequels, 'Ocean's Twelve' in 2004, and 'Ocean's Thirteen' in 2007, turning it into a popular franchise. These films were headlined by George Clooney as the con artist Danny Ocean, who pulls off a multi-million dollar heist with the help of his crew - Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), and Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), and others. Steven Soderbergh directed all three films. The fourth film, 'Ocean's Eight,' featured an all-female heist crew led by Sandra Bullock, who plays Danny's sister, Debbie Ocean. Gary Ross helmed the film, which centers on the female gang's attempts to steal a $150 million diamond necklace from New York City's Met Gala. The four movies released in the 21st century have collectively earned over $1.4 billion worldwide.
