Wagner Moura is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel. The actor, known for his work in The Secret Agent, is being eyed to play the film’s main villain.
The project stars Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper as the parents of Danny Ocean. Set during the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, the story follows the pair as they pull off an epic heist. Robbie previously teased the premise at CinemaCon, noting that the film explores the origins of the masterminds who taught Danny Ocean everything he knows.
This casting update comes as the production prepares to move forward under new leadership. While Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung was originally attached to helm the project for Warner Bros. and LuckyChap Entertainment, he departed earlier this year due to creative differences. Cooper has since stepped in to direct the film and write the script. Production is currently expected to begin in late July, with filming locations set for Paris and the south of France.
Expanding the Ocean’s Franchise
Beyond the prequel, Warner Bros. is also developing a potential sequel to the original series. George Clooney has indicated that a script for a new installment, which he compared to the 1979 heist comedy Going in Style, has received budget approval from the studio. While the project is currently in the scheduling phase, it remains a high-priority effort to reunite members of the original ensemble.
The addition of Moura to the prequel cast suggests that the studio is looking to build a formidable antagonist for the heist. With Cooper now directing and the production timeline set for this summer, the project is quickly taking shape as a major expansion of the long-running franchise.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
