A producer of the long-touted Ocean’s Eleven prequel reassures fans of the acclaimed heist comedy franchise that Barbie stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling will stay true to its legacy despite the film’s polarizing story arc.
During an interview with GamesRadar+ at the BFI London Film Festival, producer Josey McNamara spoke about fan expectations regarding the Ocean’s Eleven prequel film, and what Robbie and Gosling bring to the table. Without revealing much, McNamara insisted the Barbie duo will “do right” by the series while praising their on-screen chemistry in the critically acclaimed fantasy comedy. “I can’t really say much, but I think we’re just trying to do right by the franchise,” McNamara said. “I’m excited for people to experience it when it’s ready… [Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling] are wonderful together. The more projects even outside of that we can have them do would be amazing.”
The yet-to-be-titled Ocean’s Eleven prequel is helmed by Jay Roach, who previously stated that the film will be a romantic plot despite the titular franchise’s identity as a heist movie, a declaration that ruffled some fans. The prequel will be set in 1962 in Monte Carlo, with the popular Monaco-based tourist destination being the target of the heist, specifically Monte Carlo Casino.
Robbie will be reunited with Roach, having previously worked with the filmmaker on the 2019 Oscar-winning biographical drama, Bombshell, alongside Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman. Her performance in Bombshell won her a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination. Meanwhile, Gosling joined the prequel last August on the back of his showing in The Gray Man. The Ocean’s Eleven prequel is produced by LuckyChap Entertainment, who also produced Barbie, led by Robbie alongside her husband Tom Ackerley.
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Time will tell if the Robbie and Gosling dynamic will translate to the Ocean’s Eleven prequel as they follow the previous four entries in the Ocean’s franchise which collectively grossed over $1.42 billion worldwide. Ocean’s Eleven is the most celebrated and successful installment of the film series, which is based on 1960’s Ocean’s 11, with the 2001 film starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon earning over $450 million against an $85 million budget. After the Steven Soderbergh trilogy, which also included the less heralded Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s 13, Gary Ross helmed a successful female-led spinoff, Ocean’s 8. Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty, Ocean’s 8 earned $298 million against a $70 million budget, receiving universal praise.
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Will Reunite After Barbie
Robbie and Gosling are coming off the record-breaking success of Barbie, which is the highest-grossing flick of 2023, having earned over $1.44 billion at the global box office. Robbie, along with starring as Stereotypical Barbie, served as an executive producer for Barbie, while Gosling is in the running for a potential Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 96th Academy Awards thanks to his performance as Ken.
No release window has been set as yet for the Ocean’s Eleven prequel. Shooting was expected to start this past June, but there’s been no word on where production stands amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Source: GamesRadar+
