Back in June, a great/weird rumor was going around that Warner Bros was leaning into all-female casting decisions and going ahead with an all-female Ocean’s Eleven spinoff. At the time, the film was reportedly going to center around Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett as the leads of an ensemble that would eventually include eight women, thus it would be called Ocean’s Ocho/Ocean’s Eight. I liked the idea of Sandra and Cate together, and I was looking forward to seeing who else would get an invite. Well… the cast is coming together. And it’s interesting.
Warner Bros has firmed an October start date in New York for Ocean’s Eight, the female-driven caper spinoff directed by Gary Ross, and the studio is closing with its principal cast. Aside from the previously identified Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, deals are close with Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina. The latter is the hip-hop moniker of Asian-American rapper and actress Nora Lum, who most recently had a role in Neighbors 2.
The picture is still casting — the firmed roster so far falls one shy of the title — and there is every possibility for cameos from the stars of the original trilogy, which grossed a collective $1.12 billion worldwide.
Deadline notes that the original producer/director Steven Soderbergh is on board to produce Ocean’s Ocho, and they are in talks with some of the Ocean’s Eleven actors about possibly doing some cameos. Bullock is tight with George Clooney, and I could see Clooney agreeing to a cameo for Sandy. I could also see Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle being up for cameos too, so who even knows?
As for the cast… I’m intrigued. My hope is that they play against type for each actress, for laughs. Cate is so sophisticated, so make her the mess who is always spilling champagne on herself. Anne Hathaway is a goody-two-shoes, so make her the downtrodden cynic. Make Mindy Kaling the honey trap, not Rihanna. Make Rihanna the masterful con artist. And Helen Bonham Carter? I don’t know, maybe make her the explosives expert? Also: Mindy is just going to freak out every day she gets to work with Rihanna. It’s going to be so cute.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Casting Rhianna has killed this for me, and I was really looking forward to seeing this all-female version. 🙁
Rihanna is such a bad actress. I like the woman, she’s gorgeous and has some cool songs but she is truly awful, awful, terrible actress. She managed to screw her two miutes cameo part in that Seth Rogen movie. I actually cringed watching.
She us truly awful, and her lack if talent is goin to be even more apparent next to Cate, Anne or Helena.
Thank you! I don’t understand why you would cast award-winning actresses and then throw in a woman with zero acting talent….. it’s painful watching Ri “act” and I don’t like it when mediocre (or nonexistent) talent is rewarded like this. She has demonstrated in the past that she can’t act, so why is she getting this part? Sigh. Total disappointment.
I doupt she will have a large role with the rest of the fast such huge stars and talented actresses, probably hot girl with some kind of cool skill type of role.
I’m wondering if she is playing Rhinna or something- remember how in one of them Julia Roberts played Julia Roberts, could be like that. It doesn’t say anyone but Sandra and Cate have huge Rolls.
Scott Caan isn’t exactly an acting genius and he didn’t ruin the Oceans films.
It’s a large ensemble movie. Sandra and Cate are going to have large roles, whoevers playing the Matt Damon and Julia Roberts roles will have a large-ish role, and everyone else gets 5-10 minutes max and some shots of them in the background.
Why does this casting make me feel…nervous?
I know! As soon as I read it my face changed, I squinted and cringed at the same time. I feel it has to do with talent; there are people on this list that are not as gifted as the others and people don’t like to see that mix.
Same I did a quick gas face and Baroo Face combo Pack …
RIH RIH!!!
This is going to be good.
Is that sarcasm?
Well… No… Just no.
What is this stunt casting? Rihanna phones everything is, she’s mediocre at best. There are plenty of beautiful non-white actresses who could have had Rihanna’s part and who aren’t lazy stoners who are mostly famous for being beautiful and ‘edgy’. She’s acted before…she’s on the same level as Beyoncé in that area: substandard.
I just watched Suicide Squad and Cara, another stunt casting, was the one who stuck out like a sore thumb. Just get actual actors, go for quality. Especially with all the weak scripts for blockbusters, you want to ensure the actors are able to elevate the story with their skills…sheesh
I actually like the Oceans series, all of the films even though I’m aware the quality went down with each film. So I’m definitely here for a female version, will go watch! I still need to go see Ghostbusters too!
That said, where are the original stories these days? Is it that hard to develop a new action series not based on comics or previous franchises (reboots)? It’s like people need a template to work with but I’m pretty sure there are unknown writers out there who have original scripts who get refused because studios are so scared to lose millions.
Everything you said.
I would add that Beyonce attempts to be professional and gives her all.
Rihanna is a lazy performer, she’s especially awful live, but she gets away with everything cause she’s ‘fierce’, ‘non basic’ e.t.c
She’s not mediocre, she’s downright terrible as an actress.
The rest of the cast sounds great.
+2 or er, 3. I actually really like Rihanna but she can’t act for sh-t.
Most studios go with remakes/re-boots because the fanbase is already built in and therefore they feel it will be easier to get their money back and then some.
New material is always a risk.
New material at least for non-Disney movies is also harder to merchandise before/along with the debut of the movie since it’s hard to get another company to believe in the movie’s potential as well.
Hot mess. It’s already pandering, but they’re not even trying to make this good. All this is lacking is a sassy Latina. Is Sofia Vergara not available? And Awkwafina is horrible stage name.
I’d like America Ferrara or Gina Rodriguez over Sofia.
I’m a bit confused and concern about this movie having a reference in Spanish in the title but (at least apparently) not Latinos, it gives me a bad feeling about it being a racist stereotypical mess, I really hope I’m wrong because I like almost all of these people.
@Sals: no latinas… Wow
I like Gina and even America or both. Come on Ocho’s producers! Make it happen!!!
Glad to know I wasnt the only one noticing this. I thought I was being too sensitive or reaching.
I thought the same thing.
There is still one of the Ocho to be cast, so let’s see
The last “Ocho” to be cast is said to be Elizabeth Banks. I mean, you are going to go as far as to make a movie that targets every race/ethnicity, but you leave out Latinas??? I’m a little bothered. Yes, I am. Even if it is pandering, we’ve still been overlooked and it’s frustrating. Kudos on casting an Asian though, who in general get even less visibility in Hollywood.
Her real name is Nora and she’s awesome. Really smart and funny.
…loved rhianna in battleship…they gave her lines& she delivered …they put her in situations & she delivered…bring her on!!!…
That movie was a huge flop, lol.
Budget 220million, box office 303 million. I wouldn’t call that a huge flop.
I liked rihanna in battleship, I hope she does even ‘ocean ocho’
It was a huge flop. A movie has to AT LEAST make 2x its production budget to not lose money. 220×2= 440mil.
Mind you, that used to be the old formula. With marketing costs (adds up to the overall costs but often ignored for obvious reasons when defending a flop film) soaring higher and higher, production costs being much higher than the studio claims (to avoid admitting they are working at a loss and justify the continuation of unnecessary blockbusters, franchises etc), price tag of A-listers, it is probably closer 3x the alleged budget.
In order to Break Even, a studio movie needs to have a box office return that is DOUBLE the production budget. I don’t know what the metric is for huge (financial) flop, but $83mm ain’t chump change.
Me too, loved that movie actually . No shame!:-)
I don’t understand why Rihanna needs an acting career.
The simple answer is just straight up diversification. All the (smartish) pop stars will do it at some point, because they can’t stay in the music business forever. The long answer is that she needs new markets to get money from because 1.) the fashion world is notoriously fickle. She might be one of the It Girls now, but that can easily change due to the fact that her popularity is based on her status as a pop star, which leads me to my second point. 2.) RiRi is a mediocre performer live (which means less an less people come to her shows), and when she doesn’t stick to her usual formula of Top 40 hits (see Anti album, and the problems she was having with the singles before) she kind of flops. If she succeeds with this acting thing she can become a triple threat which raises her profile, which would help her land more ad campaigns/increase her marketability, and help her get job opportunities (singing on soundtracks, etc).
Great answer, @Lynnie! I wouldn’t have thought of that.
I simply think most of the people who want to get into acting (e.g. all the models like Cara, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, everyone) is because it’s “prestigious”. When you’re a big name, acting pays big bucks for one role, it boosts your international fame, you get to play all kinds of cool roles (who doesn’t love playing pretend and using your imagination?), and there’s always the Academy Award – the biggest and most important award in the entertainment industry, period. A Grammy is amazing, certainly. Most of us will never win a Grammy. And yet, there are a lot of Grammy Awards. There are 83 categories spanning all different music genres in which artists can get nominated. Stephen Colbert, someone not known for music, has a freaking Grammy. Contrast that with 24 categories at the Oscars. So while I think it’s unfair that stunt choreographers and casting directors and lighting design and other technical aspects of film are not recognized at the Academy Awards, in some ways this preserves the “exclusivity” of winning an Oscar. Even the Emmy Awards have a truckload of categories. So even an Emmy is not as “prestigious.” I’m not downplaying that achievement, but based solely on probability it’s a lot harder to win an Oscar than any other award. And with exclusivity comes prestige. With prestige comes bragging rights, a legacy. Everyone is after that. Even A-list stars like Rihanna and Beyonce. Something something EGOT.
Thank you! I hadn’t even thought of the legacy bit too that’s definitely another compelling reason. She’ll need all the acting classes she can get for that lol
Am i the only one who hated Oceans 11?? This coming from a HUGE george clooney fan. 🙁
I hate OCEAN’S ELEVEN too. Since the original back in the 60s, they’re just flimsy excuses for stars to hang out in glamorous places and get paid. Lazy filmmaking. And all of them feel so smug.
Everything you said. And this will be worse. A bloated cynical cash grab all around.
It felt like a very self indulgent movie by a bunch of bros that think they are really cool. And in my opinion, the worst people out there are the ones that think they are super witty…and they’re not.
I’m having a hard time verbalizing my feelings about this movie cast, but the term “stunt casting” does feel the most appropriate. It reminds me of those corporate videos they show at meetings with a person of every color/shape/size/age in the video to prove the company is diverse and politically correct, but in reality, it feels very condescending and pandering and the company is still run by a bunch of old white men. Am I verbalizing this at all or just talking gibberish?
I hear you. I think you have a very good point that needs to be considered, it does smack of tokenism, but isn’t that kind of where “we” are at this point? Hollywood is a business and they are responding to what they believe are the demands of the market. Chick comedies are red hot (and actually have been for a while) and female comedians in general are experiencing a lot of popularity at the moment. Plus the never ending chorus of women saying their aren’t any good or interesting roles for women, especially women of color. So I think we can expect a few of these all-women-all colors type castings in the very near future.
It would be nice for Hollywood to something original. but nope. You have this group of talented women and the best Hollywood can do with is put them in a remake, its just ridiculous to me.
I don’t like watching Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, or Mindy Kaling. And I’m still mad at Bellatrix LeStrange for killing Sirius Black, so. No thanks. What a horrible cast.
I can’t stand watching Anne or Mindy. Haven’t seen Rihanna in anything.
Anne is amazing. I could watch her every day. Mindy is prety good too. Rihanna is awful.
Why are we trying to give Rihanna an acting career? Was Viola Davis or Taraji P. Henson unavailable???
THISSSSSS!
Because this movie (as with most studio films) is being cast based on audience research. The producers are trying to guarantee an audience before they start filming. So they’ve got the white lady vote with Sandy and Cate. They’ve got the PoC vote with Mindy. Now they need the young people vote especially to counter the “old lady” stigma that would keep the boys away. This young person needs to be a social media star, a household name with a pre-packaged audience. Be greatful it wasnt Kylie Jenner. Its a plus that Rihanna adds a second WoC into the story. Now, Rihanna is definitely not a box office draw (see Battleship) plus she is a horrendous actress (see Battleship) but its still a better money bet than throwing in Taraji or Viola who really just add to the “old lady” vibe.
(I’m speaking purely from a studios perspective, I don’t personally think any of these people are “old ladies” and that wouldn’t keep me from seeing a film anyway)
@Naya. Rihanna also fits that HW Exec question “Would you f*ck her?” that is part of the casting process.
I first heard this years ago, watching the documentary “Searching for Debra Winger”. Actresses said they this would be said within earshot during the audition.
Years later, Tina Fey would write almost the same thing in “Bossy Pants”
Oh……….. so this is how they look for young “ingenues”! Not for talent but are they are better “f*ck.
Awkwafina!!!!
YAAAASSSSS
LOVE her
ME TOO! Smart, funny, and Asian is a great combination.
So even when there are roles for black actresses they still don’t go to black actresses. They go to black pop stars. There are so many experienced, trained actress I don’t see enough of who could act Rihanna and Beyonce under the table: Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Kimberly Elise, Sharon Leal. Ugh.
Queen Latifah ,Vanessa Williams, Taraji P Henson and Paula Patton. Any one of those actresses would have been better than Rihanna.
They arent young enough nor cool enough. They dont have buzz and boys under the age of 25 arent perving on them. Casting something like this is really about feeding different demos. Once you have three leads as older white women, you are going to need to do more than just bring in a women of color in the same age group. You are going to want the younger cast member to come with pre-packaged buzz. You need someone who can sell the idea that this is a cool movie and not just an “old ladies” movie. In other words, they are trying to give the movie a headstart with audiences. It probably wont work but they lose nothing for trying since it’s probably a small role anyway.
See also, Gabby Union – I know her role in “Top Five” was kind of tropish, but it was redeemed in that one scene “What’s the first thing I do when you walk through that door?”
And Aisha Tyler is always great. If you’ve never seen this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUU1CcDEqjw
I won’t knock it till’ I see it, but Elle you had my thoughts exactly. It would have been awesome if they cast another actress (Lupita would’ve cool!), even someone unknown who could’ve gotten their break from this movie.
Yes! Lupita is around the same age, equally beautiful, etc. Why not her?
Or Tessa Thompson. Both beautiful young women (if we are casting in the Rhianna age bracket) of color who can actually act.
Unnecessary movie. Hollywood needs to stop with the all remakes, all female cast, and superhero movies.
Yeah, cause “all female casts” have been a huge problem in Hollywood. I mean, I swear, I can’t think of the last movie that didn’t feature all women.
Unpopular opinion: I’m intrigued/excited!
Kaling already worked with Rihanna. They both had cameos in This is the End.
I am not excited for this sadly. I want to be so badly but why not write an original heist movie and not put it under the oceans series? Also, why Ri Ri? Could you imagine Viola Davis since she was the best part of Suicide Squad in this role? She would kill it and her acting ability is up there. Also, I would LOVE Samira Wiley in this role.
Also whoever nominated America Ferrera, 1000x yes. She never gets enough credit for how talented she is.
I hate to say this… I’m so not interested in this film. Ugh… I’m over reboots with female lead now. It feels lame. Each woman I love individually, Im sure they’ll find a way to be funny but nope. Maybe after promo I’ll be into this.
Can’t anyone in Hollywood make original movies anymore? Where has creativity gone? So sick of remakes and sequels.
I really don’t get this..the originals of these remakes had, and have, large female audiences so it’s not to reach new viewers with old plots…they can’t be bothered with exploring any new creative scripts, so here you go–the big boy’s leftovers.
I don’t like to support Cate movies with her hypocritical stance on the red carpet, but I love love love Sandra and Mindy so I’m all in for this movie!
I also love that they are going with such a diverse TALENTED cast, it’s not like they just put one token minority woman, the casting reflects society.
I hope the script is good. On a side note while I am thrilled they are doing a female driven movie, I wish it wasn’t a remake and they’d come up with an original idea- but I will take it.
Kudos for making the cast diverse and all, but I”m sooooo tired of these lazy remakes. Throwing an all-female cast at it just feels like pandering. How about an original movie with women heading up the cast, like First Wives Club or Bridesmaids?
Thank you!
Making it an ‘All female cast’ seems like we can’t play with the big boys. Just makes movies and have lots of woman in it and not talk about it.
I will go see this only because of Rihanna, and despite Sandra Bullock.
Oh! I love Riri but she is a terrible actress! Really, really bad actress.. She was terrible in that robot end of the world movie a few years back. It was painful to watch her.
I am interested with the cast involved so far….but I’ll have to wait until theres a trailer before I decide to spend money on it.
Hullo Lovelies,
I had to put my two cents’ worth in. There’s one obvious candidate for either the baddie or experienced genius and I can’t believe none of you have added her to the mix: Madonna!
xxxx
I’d probably watch it now just out of curiosity. So they did something right.
No way I would have bothered before: didn’t even watch the originals.