Edward Berger Explains His “Ocean’s 14” Exit
- Director James Berger revealed he briefly considered taking on a sequel to Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's" franchise, but quickly dismissed the idea.
- Berger detailed how a good night's sleep resolved his initial interest.
- "I called Brad [Pitt] because we had talked a bunch of times.I knew he was open to doing something, and I basically said, I'm sorry, I don't want...
“I Don’t Want to Do ‘Ocean’s‘” – Director Explains Why he Passed on Sequel
Director James Berger revealed he briefly considered taking on a sequel to Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s” franchise, but quickly dismissed the idea. Berger explained he felt he could add nothing new to Soderbergh’s work, stating, “I don’t know what to add to what the great Steven Soderbergh did.”
Berger detailed how a good night’s sleep resolved his initial interest. ”I went to bed, slept eight hours, and realized, it’s not me,” he said. He then contacted Brad Pitt, with whom he had previously discussed potential projects.
“I called Brad [Pitt] because we had talked a bunch of times.I knew he was open to doing something, and I basically said, I’m sorry, I don’t want to do ‘Ocean’s’ and hope I haven’t offended you. But I have this great script that I would love you to look at because I think it might be a challenge for both of us. He read it in two days and called back and said, I want to do it. It’s the best script I’ve ever read.”
The script Berger offered Pitt is for A24’s “The Riders,” scheduled to begin filming next year. Berger’s recent work includes directing Colin Farrell in “Ballad of a Small Player.” Soderbergh himself has previously stated he is finished with the “Ocean’s” franchise according to IndieWire.
The “Ocean’s” Franchise: A Brief History
The “Ocean’s” franchise began with the 1960 film Ocean’s 11, starring Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. it was remade in 2001 by Steven Soderbergh with a new cast led by George clooney and Brad Pitt, becoming a critical and commercial success. This remake spawned two sequels: Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007). In 2018, an all-female spin-off, Ocean’s 8, was released, starring Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett.
| Film Title | Year | Director | Lead Actors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean’s 11 (Original) | 1960 | Lewis Milestone | Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin |
| Ocean’s Eleven (Remake) | 2001 | Steven soderbergh | George Clooney, Brad Pitt |
| Ocean’s Twelve | 2004 | Steven Soderbergh | George Clooney, Brad Pitt |
| Ocean’s Thirteen | 2007 | Steven Soderbergh | George Clooney, Brad Pitt |
| Ocean’s 8 | 2018 | Gary Ross | Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett |
James Berger’s Upcoming Projects
Berger’s next project, “The Riders,” starring Brad Pitt, is generating significant buzz. Details about the plot remain largely under wraps, but it is described as a challenging and aspiring undertaking. His previous work,”Ballad of a Small Player,”