Ocean’s Eleven prequel is eyeing Bradly Cooper to star alongside Margot Robbie

The Ocean’s Eleven franchise might be on the verge of its most elegant reinvention yet. After years of silence since the all-female spinoff Ocean’s 8, Warner Bros. is preparing a full prequel set in 1960s Europe, a return to style, seduction, and precision. Margot Robbie is confirmed to star and produce through LuckyChap Entertainment, and multiple sources now report that Bradley Cooper is being courted to join her in the lead.

If finalized, the film would unite two of Hollywood’s most bankable names in a story that revisits the origins of the Ocean family and the creation of the criminal dynasty that inspired Danny and Debbie Ocean’s later exploits.

Set against the glamour of mid-century Europe, this prequel is not a repeat of Las Vegas flash. It’s a transformation of tone, replacing the casino neon with golden beaches, tailored suits, and romantic betrayal.

With Ocean’s Eleven as its anchor, the project aims to explore what came before the sleek team of the early 2000s. The return to the brand’s roots signals that Warner Bros. is ready to expand the saga in both directions, exploring its history as well as its future.

A 1960s heist with family ties

According to early production details, the new Ocean’s Eleven prequel is set during the golden age of European high society. The narrative reportedly follows a pair of thieves whose methods and charisma shape the Ocean family’s criminal legacy. Rumors suggest that Margot Robbie’s character may be connected to Danny and Debbie Ocean, serving as the matriarch of a long-standing family tradition of deception and charm.

The 1960s setting gives the story room for lush cinematography, lavish costume design, and a tone of espionage-tinged romance. References to The Thomas Crown Affair and Charade have surfaced in trade publications, hinting at a movie that blends suspense and flirtation instead of relying on large ensemble chaos.

The film is expected to highlight character psychology and chemistry, replacing the usual casino spectacle with European intrigue. The prequel’s tone is described as intimate yet playful, trading quick cons for slow-burn tension and emotional manipulation.

The relationship between its two leads is said to evolve through layers of trust, rivalry, and attraction, giving the story a pulse that feels both romantic and dangerous. Behind every elegant move, there’s an undercurrent of risk, as both characters test how far they can deceive each other without breaking the illusion.

This balance of seduction and survival could turn the Ocean’s Eleven prequel into more than a heist, a reflection on desire, betrayal, and the origins of the Ocean legacy.

Margot Robbie’s new LuckyChap gamble

Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment continues to shape modern Hollywood through projects that balance commercial appeal and creative ambition. From I, Tonya to Barbie, the company has consistently delivered stories that feel both accessible and distinctive. Ocean’s Eleven is the next evolution of that approach, pairing Robbie’s visual storytelling instincts with the sophisticated structure of a heist narrative.

Bradley Cooper’s potential involvement adds further depth. Known for the emotional focus of Maestro and A Star Is Born, he brings the restraint and tension that could elevate the film from a glossy caper to something more intimate. Reports suggest that he’s being considered for a suave professional thief who partners with Margot Robbie’s strategist character for a job that redefines both of their lives.

While Ryan Gosling was once rumored to co-star, those talks appear to have ended, with Bradley Cooper emerging as the studio’s new favorite choice. Neither Warner Bros. nor LuckyChap has confirmed any deal yet, but the consistency of the leaks has made his casting one of Hollywood’s most discussed rumors of the season.

A change of direction behind the camera

Originally, the Ocean’s Eleven prequel was set to be directed by Jay Roach, who previously worked with Robbie on Bombshell. Recent industry reports now suggest that Lee Isaac Chung, the filmmaker behind Minari and Twisters, could step in to helm the project. While the shift in creative leadership remains unconfirmed, insiders describe it as a move toward a more character-driven and emotionally textured tone.

Chung’s perspective would introduce a different rhythm to the Ocean’s brand, replacing rapid-fire editing with subtle tension and slower, more deliberate storytelling. His background in human drama could deepen the relationship between the Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper’s characters, giving emotional weight to a story that might otherwise play as surface-level glamour.

The screenplay and production timeline of Ocean’s Eleven prequel

Carrie Solomon wrote the screenplay for the Ocean’s Eleven prequel, which is said to reimagine the DNA of Ocean’s Eleven rather than replicate it, with a plot centered on the first great heist in the Ocean family’s history, merging romance and rivalry in equal measure. Sources claim the story unfolds across multiple European cities, with visual motifs of mirrors, misdirection, and betrayal running throughout.

Filming was initially expected to begin in early 2023, but the production was delayed amid scheduling changes and the Hollywood strikes. No new start date has been announced, though Warner Bros. reportedly wants cameras rolling once the final cast and director are locked.

Ocean’s revival across generations

The Ocean’s Eleven prequel is not the only project in motion. George Clooney recently confirmed that Ocean’s 14 is also in active development, reuniting him with Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. That film, expected to begin production in 2026, will continue the timeline established by Steven Soderbergh’s trilogy.

If both projects move forward, the Ocean’s world will exist across two parallel eras: one revisiting the original ensemble in the present, and another exploring how their legacy began. The decision to run these stories concurrently reflects Warner Bros.’ new strategy for balancing nostalgia with reinvention, keeping one of its most valuable brands alive for the next decade.

Between rumor and reality

At this stage, Bradley Cooper’s involvement remains unconfirmed, and the reported director change should still be treated as speculation. Yet the buildup of industry chatter points to real momentum behind the prequel. With Margot Robbie steering production and Ocean’s Eleven reimagined through a mid-century lens, the film has the potential to redefine the heist genre for a modern audience.

The appeal of this project lies in contrast, not replication. It isn’t chasing the swagger of Clooney’s crew or the sharp wit of Ocean’s 8. It’s returning to the moment before all that began, where one couple’s ambition set the tone for decades of cinematic crime. If Cooper signs on, the Ocean’s Eleven prequel could become not just another installment but the foundation for a new phase in one of Hollywood’s most enduring legacies.