Bradley Cooper In Talks To Write, Direct, & Star In Margot Robbie’s ‘Ocean’s’ Prequel

• Bradley Cooper is reportedly in talks to write, direct, and star in the Ocean’s prequel after Lee Isaac Chung exited due to creative differences.
• Margot Robbie remains attached, with the prequel set as a 1960s European heist inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix and the original Ocean’s film.
• Warner Bros. aims to shoot the movie before the end of 2026.

Originally penned as a glossy heist blockbuster against the backdrop of one of Formula 1’s most iconic circuits, the Margot Robbie-led Ocean’s prequel has hit more roadblocks than a Ferrari in Monaco rush hour traffic.

It had all the ingredients to become Warner Bros.’ next cult-classic, building on the massive success of Robbie’s collaboration with the studio on Barbie that turned a movie about your daughter’s favourite doll into a cultural phenomenon that raked in a billion dollars and cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Robbie’s remake, still untitled, is expected to reimagine the original Ocean’s 11 release in 1960, starring Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., among other members of the music group the Rat Pack, pulling off a smooth, stylish Las Vegas heist with plenty of musical flair. Yet, more than four years after the project was first announced, it still hasn’t crossed the finish line.

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Warner Bros.’ Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung was originally attached to helm the project, but has since pulled the brakes, citing “creative differences,” leaving the studio scrambling for someone to pick up the reins and get this long-awaited project off the ground.

Now it’s widely reported that Bradley Cooper is set to step in, circling the director’s chair while also taking on writing duties and potentially starring alongside Robbie. To be fair, it’s not exactly a hard pitch for any actor looking to spend an extended stint on the French Riviera surrounded by Formula 1 cars.

With Cooper’s multi-role involvement, the prequel that’s failed to launch could finally emerge as a fully realised, high-style entry in the celebrated Ocean’s franchise, combining the inherent glitz of the Monaco Grand Prix with nostalgic period detail.

This would be Cooper’s first directorial project since 2025’s Is This Thing On?, following Maestro, and 2018’s A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga, which earned him two Oscar nods for Best Actor.

And with an all-star cast led by Robbie, Cooper, and potentially some other Hollywood heavyweights, it’s shaping up to be a spectacle that makes even one of Scorsese’s or Wes Anderson’s meticulously curated ensembles look like the back row of the Oscars pantheon. You know, somewhere next to the fire exit and the TikTokers.

Whilst nothing has been officially confirmed, the timing couldn’t be better, as Warner Bros. reportedly wants cameras rolling before the end of 2026, signalling that talks with Cooper are moving in a promising direction. Place your bets; the long con is still on.