It sounds like that female-centric Ocean’s Eleven redo is becoming more of a reality, and in keeping with the spirit of the Steven Soderbergh remake, it’ll be a star-studded affair. The project first materialized when The Hunger Games and Free State of Jones filmmaker Gary Ross floated the idea to Soderbergh, after which Sandra Bullock became attached to anchor the picture in the George Clooney role. Then last month, word surfaced that Ross was eyeing a Hunger Games reunion of sorts with Jennifer Lawrence looking to sign on. Now we can add yet another Oscar winner to the mix, as The Playlist is reporting that Cate Blanchett is in negotiations to join the ensemble.
Per the outlet, Blanchett would be filling the Brad Pitt role, although the idea here is not for them to be playing the female version of those characters, but to instead model the ensemble after the friendship/partnership dynamic that Soderbergh established with his suave trilogy. So if Blanchett does sign on, don’t expect her to be eating something in every scene.
Moreover, The Playlist adds that Lawrence’s involvement is more tenuous. Apparently Ross is hoping to get filming underway this fall/early winter, which could mean a schedule conflict keeps Lawrence out of the picture. But regardless of whether Lawrence ends up starring in the film or not, Bullock and Blanchett, as directed by Gary Ross, is a tremendous start.
The Playlist also has insight into the film’s connection to Soderbergh’s trilogy. While they initially thought about having Clooney’s Danny Ocean make a cameo, that idea has been put on the backburner for now to potentially be revisited if and when sequels materialize, for which Ross, Soderbergh, etc. have concocted broad outlines.
The picture is still untitled but is being referred to internally (and unofficially) as Ocean’s Ocho, although if Blanchett does indeed sign on, I imagine this thing is gonna pick up even more steam and we’ll likely be hearing more casting news imminently. Coming on the heels of Blanchett’s involvement in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok as the comic book movie’s villain, the Oscar-winner certainly seems game to play around in a variety of different roles. Ross, Soderbergh, Gregory Jacobs, and Susan Elkins are producing this Ocean’s Eleven reboot.
What do you think folks? Who else should join the ensemble here? Sound off in the comments below.
