Bradley Cooper In The Mix To Write And Direct 'Oceans 11' Prequel

TV & Film

Mar 14

Bradley Cooper, with cinematographer Matthew Libatique, on the set of A Star is Born — Image Source: Screen Daily

The Ocean family has a new ring leader! Deadline has reported that Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter Bradley Cooper is in talks to write and direct an Ocean’s Eleven prequel for Warner Bros.

The prequel (reportedly titled Oceans) was announced in 2022, with the story focusing on the parents of Danny and Debbie Ocean (played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, respectively). Margot Robbie is set to star and produce with Tom Ackerley through their Luckystar Productions banner, which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Early into production, Ryan Gosling entered talks to play the male lead, Jay Roach was intended to direct, and Carrie Solomon wrote the screenplay. While production was initially scheduled to start in December 2023, it was postponed due to Robbie and Gosling’s commitments to A Big Bold Beautiful Journey and Project Hail Mary, respectively. The film faced further delays due to Robbie's and Gosling’s commitments to Wuthering Heights and Star Wars: Starfighter, respectively. Last summer, it was reported that Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung (Minari, Twisters) would replace Roach as director, only to depart earlier this month due to creative differences. In October 2025, it was reported that Bradley Cooper was in talks to play the male lead after Ryan Gosling left the project.

Bradley Cooper has remained one of Hollywood’s most reliable and hardest-working leading men. He is best known for his Academy Award-nominated work in Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and American Sniper. He’s also earned Best Picture nominations as a producer on American Sniper, Joker, and Nightmare Alley. Cooper’s other iconic roles include The Hangover, Limitless, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, and multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, providing the voice of Rocket Raccoon. Cooper has also directed, starred in, and co-wrote three feature films: A Star Is Born, Maestro, and Is This Thing On? All three films received praise for Cooper’s direction, visuals, and performances, with Cooper earning three Oscar nominations as a producer, actor, and writer for both A Star Is Born and Maestro.