After an 18-year gap, George Clooney is preparing to reprise his role as Danny Ocean, bringing back the iconic heist crew for a new adventure. The actor recently shared with E! News that Ocean’s 14 is moving forward, with Warner Bros. having approved the budget and production scheduling underway.
“We just got the budget approved at Warner Bros. and we’re trying to set up,”
Clooney said.
“It’s just scheduling, so just setting a start date for us,”
he added. He expects filming to begin in about nine to ten months, signaling a significant return for the franchise.
Returning Cast Includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Julia Roberts
The new film will mark the fourth installment since the original Ocean’s Eleven hit theaters in 2001, featuring much of the ensemble that made the earlier films popular. Some original cast members, like Bernie Mac and Carl Reiner, are no longer with us, while others have become busier, complicating scheduling.
Clooney confirmed several actors are set to return:
“Brad [Pitt], Matt [Damon], and Don [Cheadle], and Julia [Roberts],”
he said.
“I had dinner last night with Julia. They’re all still really dear friends. And so the chance to work together would be fun.”
The original 2001 Ocean’s Eleven itself was a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and others. The modern version starred Clooney as the mastermind Ocean, with Pitt as his partner, Damon as a pickpocket, Cheadle as the demolitions expert, and Julia Roberts as Ocean’s former lover, Tess. Supporting roles included Elliot Gould as a casino owner, Bernie Mac as a con artist, and Eddie Jemison playing the surveillance expert, alongside Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, and acrobat Qin Shaobo. This ensemble helped the franchise become a major success.
Clooney Jokes About Plot Reflecting the Gang’s Age
In recent years, Clooney has hinted at a fourth film in multiple interviews. By December 2023, he told Uproxx,
“we have a really good script for another ‘Oceans’ now.”
During publicity events for Wolfs earlier this year, he remarked,
“everyone’s read it and ready to do it.”
In February, speaking to The New York Times, Clooney humorously referenced the gang’s advancing age in the storyline:
“It’s like we’re all too old to do the jobs we used to be able to do.”
This suggests the film may explore new directions for the team as they navigate challenges that come with time.
Legacy and Anticipation for the Next Heist
The announcement of Ocean’s 14 reignites excitement for fans of the series, as the blend of returning stars and fresh storytelling promises to continue the beloved saga. With production set to start within the year, anticipation is growing for the film’s eventual release, potentially marking another major chapter in the Ocean’s franchise under Warner Bros.’ banner.
