George Clooney has given his approval for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling to play his parents in the upcoming prequel to Ocean’s 11. While details about the film are scarce, there are rumors that Robbie and Gosling will take on the roles of Danny Ocean’s parents. Clooney jokingly expressed his support, stating, “Margot Robbie’s my mother? I’ve always thought that. And Ryan Gosling is my father, and when you think about it, it makes sense. Truly,” during the premiere of The Boys in the Boat.
The Ocean’s 11 prequel, directed by Jay Roach and written by Carrie Solomon, is expected to be set in 1960s Europe, deviating from the Las Vegas backdrop of Clooney’s earlier trilogy. Ocean’s 8, the franchise’s latest installment, featuring Sandra Bullock as Danny Ocean’s sister, was released in 2018. Margot Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap, will back the prequel, alongside co-founders Josey McNamara, Tom Ackerley, and Sophia Kerr.
Clooney, who directed The Boys in the Boat, based on Daniel James Brown’s 2013 book, shared that the film tells the true story of the University of Washington rowing team and their journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Inspired by the teamwork required in rowing, Clooney explained, “It takes nine guys all operating that exact perfect way, which I like. I like the idea that we have to be together.”
Despite most actors, including Clooney, lacking rowing experience, they underwent months of training before filming. Callum Turner, who stars as Joe Rantz, revealed, “They said it was gonna be hard. It was a lot harder. They lied to us.” He added that rowing felt like the primary job, and the movie became a side hustle.
Capturing the racing scenes proved challenging, with Clooney describing the process as “hell.” He emphasized the difficulty of shooting scenes involving not just nine rowers but also eight other boats. Despite the challenges, Clooney praised the cast, stating, “They all did a great job, and they were really fantastic.”
The Boys in the Boat is scheduled to be in theaters on Dec. 17.
