The Ocean's series of star-studded crime comedies began in 2001 with the smash hit Ocean's Eleven and ended in 2007 with Ocean's Thirteen. Now, a little over a decade later, the crime comedy series is returning with a new cast and caper. Next summer's Ocean's Eight falls into that new and increasingly utilized category of films that are neither remakes, reboots or direct sequels. This semi-sequel actually takes place in the same universe as the previous films as star Sandra Bullock explained:
We're not a reboot. We're just a this is what's happening in 2017. It's not even a passing of the torch. It's a parallel story of another family member that was raised in the same family Danny Ocean was and what happens when Debbie steps out of jail with all of these amazing, powerful women.
This adjacent sequel seems like an interesting way to go. A spiritual successor with an in-story connection to the Ocean's Trilogy respects and acknowledges what came before while still allowing the film to forge its own path forward, unburdened by any sense of measuring up. Setting this film in the same universe will hopefully allow Ocean's Eight to stand on its own. None of these characters are replacing the existing ones from the Ocean's Trilogy, so there shouldn't be constant comparisons drawn, meaning the new characters should be able to truly shine. This also allows for callbacks and cameos from characters from the Ocean's Trilogy like Carl Reiner's Saul Bloom as well as cameo-king Matt Damon, who will also be making an appearance (possibly reprising his role as Linus Caldwell). The new team of thieves is made up of an all-star female cast including Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling and Rihanna. Sandra Bullock also spoke to Entertainment Weekly and explained a little bit more about her character Debbie Ocean, who brings them all together.
Yes, I am Danny Ocean's sister. I've been incarcerated for about five years and you find out why during the course of the film. I mean, that's sort of a tiny subplot. But that's, you know, but I'm definitely his sister and we definitely come from the same family and we're both very good at what we do in our own special way. So you can only imagine that once I get out, that's when the heist ensues.
Man, this Ocean family has a serious problem with recidivism. They get out of jail and always have a fresh crime planned, like immediately. What was the parenting like in that family? While their morality might be a little hazy, thievery is still a life skill I suppose and takes a certain work ethic. The thieving in these films looks like a lot of hard work and Ocean's Eight will be no different. Debbie Ocean and her team will be pulling off a daring, and I imagine elaborate, heist at New York's famed Met Gala. There they will be attempting to liberate a priceless necklace from the neck of a celebrity. This venue will give the film the opportunity for a lot of fun celebrity cameos including Olivia Munn and James Corden who may actually have a sizable role in the film.
Ocean's Eight is written and directed by The Hunger Games' Gary Ross and it breaks into theaters next summer on June 8, 2018. Check out what we know so far and for all of the biggest movies hitting theaters next year, keep up with our 2018 release schedule.
