Director Lee Isaac Chung is leaving the first part of Ocean’s Eleven, citing “creative differences.”
Margot Robbie’s company LuckyChap is producing the film for Warner Bros., and she also appears in the film opposite Bradley Cooper. Chung, known for his work on “Twisters” and the Oscar-nominated “Minari,” is the second director to leave the project, following Jay Roach, who was originally tapped to direct.
“This is an amicable separation due to creative differences,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement.
In a subsequent joint statement, Warner Bros. and LuckyChap called Chung “a singular filmmaking talent whose vision and partnership have been invaluable to Warner Bros. and LuckyChap throughout this journey.” They added, “Our experience with him has further deepened our enthusiasm to collaborate together on future projects.”
Carrie Solomon is working on the script, and previous reports suggest the film will be set in 1960s Europe. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the storyline is expected to take place before the events of Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 heist comedy Ocean’s Eleven, which starred George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts as con artists robbing a Las Vegas casino. Critically and commercially beloved, Ocean’s inspired two sequels as well as a female-led reboot, Ocean’s 8, starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Rihanna. Of course, these films are based on 1960’s “Ocean’s Eleven,” which featured five members of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack.
Warner Bros. is in the process of selling the film to Paramount Skydance, and the fate of the film remains uncertain. But Paramount CEO David Ellison has promised to release 30 films a year once the two media giants come together.
News of Chung’s departure was first reported by Deadline.
