Despite George Clooney’s enthusiasm for continuing the Ocean’s heist series, director Steven Soderbergh has rejected the opportunity to return for its fourth installment. In an interview with Variety, Soderbergh firmly stated that, for him, the series ended after the third installment in 2007. “After we made the third movie, I felt like the series was very much concluded for me,” Soderbergh said. “When the studio approached me to see if I’d be involved in continuing the franchise, I told them no, because it just doesn’t feel like a move forward for me. I’m chasing something else.”
But in an interview with Uproxx to promote The Boys in the Boat, Ocean’s star George Clooney revealed that a promising script for a fourth Ocean’s movie is ready. The potential sequel, reportedly drawing inspiration from the 1979 heist dramedy Going in Style, aims to inject new life into the heist franchise, featuring retirees who decide to commit a robbery to bring enjoyment back into their lives. “We have a really good script for another Ocean’s now, so we may end up doing another one,” Clooney said, careful not to label it as Ocean’s 14.
The Passing of a Cast Member
Soderbergh tapping out on the franchise comes more than a decade and a half after he directed Ocean’s Thirteen, which was released in 2007. While Clooney and Soderbergh had discussed revisiting the Ocean’s world, the passing of ensemble cast member Bernie Mac led to a mutual decision to, at the time, not pursue it further.
Soderbergh’s Pursuit of New Territories
Soderbergh’s recent focus on a variety of projects, such as concluding the Magic Mike trilogy and his upcoming supernatural horror film Presence, underlines his commitment to exploring new creative territories. Presence, starring Lucy Liu and Julia Fox, is due to premiere at Sundance on January 19.
When considering the future of the Ocean’s heist series, the rejection of a fourth installment by director Steven Soderbergh leaves fans wondering if there will ever be another film in the franchise. While George Clooney remains hopeful with a promising script in hand, the absence of Soderbergh’s involvement raises doubts about the direction the series may take.
A Decade and a Half Wait
It has been more than 14 years since the release of Ocean’s Thirteen, the third installment in the franchise. With Soderbergh’s declaration that the series concluded for him after that film, fans have had to wait patiently for any news of a potential sequel. And while Clooney’s revelation of a good script offers a glimmer of hope, it remains uncertain if the film will ever come to fruition.
A Passing that Led to a Mutual Decision
The passing of ensemble cast member Bernie Mac played a significant role in the decision not to pursue another Ocean’s movie in the past. Clooney and Soderbergh, undoubtedly impacted by the loss, chose to put aside their plans to revisit the Ocean’s world. Now, with Soderbergh’s disinterest in the franchise, it becomes even more challenging to imagine a future Ocean’s film without the original director’s vision.
Soderbergh’s diverse range of projects in recent years showcases his eagerness to explore new creative territories. From the conclusion of the Magic Mike trilogy to his upcoming supernatural horror film Presence, the director has proven his commitment to expanding his artistic repertoire. This focus on new ventures, however, leaves a void in the Ocean’s franchise that may prove difficult to fill.
While George Clooney’s optimism towards a fourth Ocean’s movie is evident, the rejection of the opportunity by director Steven Soderbergh casts a shadow of doubt over the series’ future. Soderbergh’s focus on new artistic endeavors and his previous decision to conclude the franchise indicate that Ocean’s 14 may never come to fruition. Only time will tell if the allure of the heist world will prove irresistible, bringing the Ocean’s crew back together for yet another captivating adventure.
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