At this point, it should be no surprise that George Clooney is intent on making an “Ocean’s 14” sequel. Earlier this year, it was reported that Clooney has a script that he likes and hopes to make, and we reported exclusively that the script was written by Clooney and his Smoke House Pictures producing partner Grant Heslov.
READ MORE: George Clooney Wrote His ‘Oceans 14’ Script, But Who Will Direct? [The Backstory]
Well, Deadline reports that while it’s early, Brad Pitt is also coming back (naturally), and he and Clooney are trying to recruit Academy-Award-winning director Edward Berger, who stormed the Oscars last year with his adaptation of “All Quiet On The Western Front.” The film was so well-received that Berger has received dozens of offers, including one from Universal to make the next “Bourne” movie, the “Conclave” movie starring Ralph Fiennes that just premiered in Telluride (and maybe yet another Oscar contender), and seemingly dozens more projects that are cooking up (including yet another film coming out next year starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell).
It also shouldn’t be surprising that original “Ocean’s” trilogy director Steven Soderbergh isn’t involved. He was once vaguely interested but vowed never to return to the series after troupe member Bernie Mac died. He’s stuck to his guns and passed despite multiple attempts to lure him back into the fold.
Don Cheadle also said last year that something with the “Ocean’s” franchise was brewing, and he surely meant Clooney’s script, which he’s been working on for a while now.
While no other names have been confirmed yet, if Pitt and Clooney are in, surely the rest of the cast will be on board, too. The ensemble would presumably include the Ocean’s team Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Qin Shaobo, Elliott Gould, and then presumably two new members for Mac and Carl Reiner, who also passed away in 2020. Andy García also appeared in all three films, so it’s a possibility he could come back too.
Clooney said last year he had a strong script that was in the spirit of the 2017 old-guys crime comedy “Going in Style.” Berger apparently doesn’t even have an offer yet because he is currently weighing many, but some conversations and talks have happened, and Pitt and Clooney clearly know who they want.
If Berger passes, Pitt, Clooney, and Smokehouse shouldn’t sweat it. There are probably dozens and dozens of directors who would kill for this job, but they’ll want elite filmmakers first, so invites will be only for conversations over drinks.
Clooney and Pitt also recently re-teamed on the crime action film “Wolfs” from director Jon Watts. The pair seemingly had a great time and probably think it is time to strike before they get too old for the roles.