Margot Robbie is playing a mother on screen, but this one comes with a twist Hollywood could not ignore. The 35-year-old star is set to play the mother of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean in an upcoming ‘Ocean’s 11’ prequel, even though Clooney is two decades older than she is. That casting detail alone is enough to get people talking, but the movie’s setting adds even more intrigue. This time, the action is heading to Monaco, with the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix serving as the backdrop for a high-stakes heist tied to the family that came before Danny Ocean.
Robbie confirmed the setup during Warner Bros.’ CinemaCon presentation, where she teased that the new film will focus on Danny Ocean’s parents rather than the casino crew fans know from Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. “Before Danny Ocean ever stepped foot in Vegas, two masterminds taught him everything he knows — his parents,” Robbie said. “You’ll see them in their prime, and in our new movie, pulling off an epic heist at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix.”
Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper Lead the Ocean Family Story
Robbie will star opposite Bradley Cooper, who is set to play Danny Ocean’s father. Cooper is also directing the film after Lee Isaac Chung and Jay Roach exited the project. Carrie Solomon is writing the screenplay, while Robbie is producing through LuckyChap, the company behind several of her recent projects.
The untitled prequel shifts the franchise away from Las Vegas and into a glossier, more old-school setting. Monaco already comes with money, speed, glamour, and risk built in. That gives the movie a very different energy from the modern casino capers that made the franchise a crowd favorite. The story also opens the door to a fresh angle by tracing the family roots of one of the series’ most recognizable con men.
George Clooney Has His Own Ocean’s Plans Too
This prequel is separate from another ‘Ocean’s’ project Clooney is developing with members of the original ensemble. That follow-up is expected to bring back names tied to the 2001 hit, including Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Don Cheadle, with the crew returning as older criminals pulled back into the game.
Warner Bros. used CinemaCon to preview a crowded slate, and the new ‘Ocean’s’ movie was one of the more curious titles in the mix. The studio also highlighted upcoming releases including ‘Digger’, ‘Dune: Part III’, ‘Supergirl’, and ‘Practical Magic 2’.
The prequel is expected to begin filming this year and is currently set for a June 25, 2027 theatrical release. For now, the biggest hook may be the simplest one. Margot Robbie as George Clooney’s movie mom was not on many bingo cards, but it has people looking twice.
