Moura In Ocean’s Prequel
Wagner Moura Negotiating For Ocean’s Prequel Villain Role With Margot Robbie And Bradley Cooper
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Before Wagner Moura, Benicio del Toro had been “originally in talks” for the prequel’s main-villain role, according to Deadline reporting cited by World of Reel.
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The prequel’s development path included earlier major attachments: Ryan Gosling was once set to star opposite Margot Robbie, and directors Jay Roach and later Lee Isaac Chung were also at one point attached before Cooper took over directing.
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While Carrie Solomon is credited with prior drafts, TheWrap reports that Bradley Cooper wrote the current screenplay draft and that it is based on characters created by George Clayton Johnson & Jack Golden Russell.
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At CinemaCon, Robbie teased the prequel’s premise in a sizzle reel quote: “Before Danny Ocean ever stepped foot in Vegas, two masterminds taught him everything he knows…his parents.”
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The Hollywood Reporter highlights that Moura’s recent visibility came from awards momentum for “The Secret Agent,” noting he won best actor at Cannes and best actor (drama) at the Golden Globes, before earning an Academy Award nomination.
Wagner Moura is in talks to play the main villain in Warner Bros.' Ocean's Eleven prequel, joining stars Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper, according to Variety. The film is set for release on June 25, 2027, with shooting expected to begin in late July in Paris before moving to the south of France.
Moura, a 49-year-old Brazilian actor, is riding a wave of awards momentum. He won Best Actor at Cannes and Best Actor (Drama) at the Golden Globes for his work in The Secret Agent, and recently earned an Academy Award nomination, The Hollywood Reporter notes. He steps into a villain role that was originally offered to Benicio del Toro, who exited the project, per Deadline.
Danny Ocean's Parents Pull Off a 1962 Monaco Heist
The prequel tells the origin story of the Ocean family. Robbie and Cooper play Danny Ocean's parents — two skilled thieves who teach their son the art of stealing from the rich. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix. At CinemaCon, Robbie summed it up plainly: "Before Danny Ocean ever stepped foot in Vegas, two masterminds taught him everything he knows… his parents."
The film is described as a stylish, old-school caper — closer to the glamour of 1960s Euro-thrillers than the high-tech heists of the Soderbergh trilogy. Oscar-winning cinematographer Linus Sandgren, who shot La La Land, is behind the camera. Cooper wrote the current screenplay draft, building on characters created by George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell, according to TheWrap.
Cooper Took Over After a Long Line of Directors Exited
The road to a finished film was bumpy. Warner Bros. first announced the prequel in May 2022, with Jay Roach set to direct and Carrie Solomon writing the script. Ryan Gosling was once in talks to star opposite Robbie. Then Lee Isaac Chung — director of Minari and Twisters — briefly came on board before also departing due to creative differences.
By late 2025, Bradley Cooper stepped in with a sweeping deal. He rewrote the script, took over directing, and signed on to produce and star. It is a similar move to what he did on A Star Is Born — full creative control from top to bottom. TheWrap confirmed Cooper authored the current shooting draft.
Moura Replaces del Toro as the Film's Primary Foil
Benicio del Toro was originally in talks for the villain role, Deadline reported. He exited the project around June 10, 2026. Within days, Moura emerged as the frontrunner, per World of Reel. Now negotiations are confirmed, and Moura is set to serve as the main antagonist opposite Robbie and Cooper.
The casting is seen as a smart move. Moura is at the peak of his profile right now. His run of awards wins for The Secret Agent gave him rare crossover status — both a critics' darling and a recognizable name for mainstream audiences. The Hollywood Reporter called his involvement a way to bring gravity to a franchise known more for charm than weight.
A $165M Bet on a New Ocean's Franchise Era
Warner Bros. is not treating this as a small spin-off. Insiders estimate the production budget at $165 to $185 million, according to Deadline sources. The Ocean's franchise has earned over $1.17 billion worldwide across four films. The studio is reportedly targeting at least $500 million globally from this installment.
Filming in Paris and the south of France will take advantage of France's Tax Rebate for International Productions, which offers up to a 30% rebate on eligible costs. George Clooney and the original Soderbergh cast will not appear. Warner Bros. is betting that the chemistry between Robbie and Cooper — fresh off the massive success of Barbie — is enough to launch a new chapter, Variety reported.
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