Lee Isaac Chung has exited Margot Robbie’s upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel due to creative differences. The Warner Bros. project will now search for a new director.
The upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel has hit another roadblock. Director Lee Isaac Chung, best known for Minari and Twisters, has stepped away from the project, which is being produced and headlined by Margot Robbie.
According to a report in Deadline, Chung exited the film due to “creative differences,” with the split described as amicable. The project is being backed by Warner Bros. and Robbie’s production banner LuckyChap Entertainment.
The development means the long-gestating prequel will now have to search for a new filmmaker to take the project forward.
Another setback for the Ocean’s prequel
Chung’s exit marks the second directorial departure from the project. Earlier, filmmaker Jay Roach had also stepped away before Chung came on board to helm the film.
Despite the change, Warner Bros. and LuckyChap emphasised that the split happened on good terms.
In a statement, the studios praised Chung’s work and expressed interest in collaborating again in the future, describing him as a “singular filmmaking talent.” It read, “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,” as per the same report.
The prequel, first announced in 2022, has been in development for several years and remains an important project for the studio.
What we know about the film so far
The upcoming movie is expected to serve as a prequel to Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 heist film Ocean’s Eleven, which itself was a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack classic.
While plot details have been largely kept under wraps, earlier reports suggested the story would be set in 1960s Europe and explore events that precede the original film’s timeline.
The screenplay is written by Carrie Solomon, and Robbie is producing through LuckyChap while also starring in the film.
There have also been reports that Bradley Cooper could join the cast, though official casting announcements remain limited.
The future of the Ocean’s franchise
Despite the turbulence surrounding the prequel, the Ocean’s universe continues to remain active in Hollywood.
The franchise began with the 1960 film starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., before being rebooted in 2001 with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon.
The series has since expanded with sequels and spin-offs, including the female-led Ocean’s 8 in 2018.
Meanwhile, a potential sequel to the original trilogy, tentatively titled Ocean’s 14, is also reportedly in development, suggesting that Warner Bros. is keen to keep the beloved heist franchise alive.
For now, however, the immediate focus remains on finding a new director who can bring Robbie’s ambitious prequel back on track.
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