Normally when someone gets away in the Ocean’s Eleven franchise we’re happy about it. However, the latest news from the series is no cause for celebration. Director Lee Isaac Chung is leaving the planned Ocean’s Eleven prequel film starring Margot Robbie.
Deadline reports Warner Bros. Discovery and the Oscar-nominated director of Minari have agreed to “amicably” part ways on the studio’s Ocean’s Eleven prequel with Margot Robbie. The reason? You guessed it. There are “creative differences.” Robbie is also producing it under her LuckyChap Entertainment company.
This split really does seem to be a friendly one. Chung and WBD shared a joint statement about his departure from the film:
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.
Work on the movie was first announced in 2022. Bombshell director Jay Roach was originally set to direct before Chung signed on. This latest change does not appear to mark the end of the movie. The studio is reportedly already seeking another director, though it appears it is still working with the script written by Carrie Solomon (A Family Affair). Very little is known about the movie, set to take place in the ’60s. Whether or not it could prove to have any direct connection to the new, present day Ocean’s film also in development is unclear. Last October George Clooney said Ocean’s Fourteen would begin filming in 2026.
Might we ultimately find out Margot Robbie’s character in the prequel is Danny Ocean’s mother? A whole lot has to happen before we get an answer. That includes Warner Bros. Discovery pulling off a job that is proving harder than any in franchise history: finding a director for the prequel.