Reports suggests Ocean’s 8 is close to signing some big names. Pop star Rihanna, Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, Academy Award Nominee Helena Bonham Carter, comedian and actress Mindy Kaling, and comedian and actress Awkwafina are close to being attached to the project.
The original report coming from Deadline indicates Warner Bros is hoping to start filming by October in New York.
These ladies will join already signed Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, bringing the total to seven, one shy of the titular 8. Rumors point to Jennifer Lawrence being eyed for the role, which would reunite her with Hunger Games director Gary Ross, who is also directing Ocean’s 8.
Ocean’s 8 is a spin-off/remake of 2001’s Ocean’s 11 starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, which was in turn a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name. 2001’s 11 was a huge success, spawning two additional sequels.
The Ocean franchise is a series of heist films, in which a group of characters from different walks of life are brought together by a charismatic leader to pull off a big job, usually robbing someone bad.
The last film to release in the franchise was Ocean’s 13 in 2007. Deadline notes it is very possible for members of the original cast to make cameo appearances in the Ocean’s 8. Steven Soderbergh who directed 11, 12 and 13 is producing the new film.
With the additions of comedians Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina it’s pretty clear the remake will be light in tone, not taking itself too seriously.
Rihanna’s most recently finished filming Luc Besson’s new sci-fi movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, which is slated to hit theater next summer.
Mindy Kaling is currently working on her show The Mindy Project, which she stars in and is also the Executive Producer on.
Anne Hathaway was recently in the box-office bomb Alice Through the Looking Glass, which performed significantly worse than it’s predecessor.
