With the success of Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13 it was only a matter of time before we got a sequel or spinoff. Ocean’s 8 will seem to be that spinoff a full decade after Ocean’s 13. Rumor has it, Oceans 8 will tie in somehow to the trilogy and even has George Clooney on as a producer. Gary Ross is set to direct the latest out of the franchise. Ross has experience directing a female lead series while enjoying the success of The Hunger Games. Casting has begun for the film and more are rumored to have links to the project. Here are a few of the Ocean’s 8 Casting Rumors floating around.
The Cast(rumored):
Sandra Bullock:
Sandra Bullock is the ultimate thumbs up for casting. We’ve seen her in every kind of role. From Demolition Man, to Speed, to Miss Congeniality to voice work on Minions; Sandra Bullock has done it all. She’s also on the rare list of actors/actresses that you have to try real hard to hate. Fans enjoy her films. She can play serious or funny. She’s a big name that can carry a film. Great addition as long as the script is right.
Helena Bonham Carter:
Another female actress who can often do it all. Add Fight Club, Planet of the Apes, Big Fish, Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd, and Alice in Wonderland to her long list of movie credits. Often linked to Tim Burton roles, her versatility often lands her eccentric roles. Seeing her in an Ocean’s film might be new to viewers, but don’t let her unique roles fool you, there’s a very talented actress buried in the unique roles.
Elizabeth Banks:
Is there a movie Elizabeth Banks isn’t in lately? From The Hunger Games to the Power Rangers big screen adaptation to the new Oceans Eight, Banks seems to be everywhere. Good for her. Fans will more than likely remember her from her Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Die hards can go all the way back to Wet Hot American Summer. According to IMDb, Banks has 78 acting credits under her belt since 1998 so consider her no slouch. More than just a pretty face, Banks has enjoyed the kind of success that could land her many roles for years to come. Another great cast.
more rumored cast from Deadline(here)
Long story short, this movie has a ton of great actresses linked to it. Can it carry the torch for a new generation of fans? Will it face as much backlash as the Ghostbusters reboot?
There’s nothing wrong with remakes in Hollywood. Hell, even George Clooney wasn’t the first Danny Ocean. Unfortunately for viewers we’ve run out of ideas to keep things fresh. It’s not even just the movie world. Comic book readers have been treated to revamps of old characters with either new gender roles or a different race. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve enjoyed some of the new takes on old characters, I’ve enjoyed new female lead roles, but the entertainment industry has to draw a line between being done right and being done at all. Switching things up because there was once success leads to flopped sequels or straight to dvd movies. To compare, did anyone enjoy the Hangover 3 compared to the first run of the movie? You can’t just slap a coat of paint on an old car and call it new. While I am intrigued for the new cast and continuation of the old story, I have many reservations for this film.
OPINION: Is this the new normal in Hollywood? While I have a great deal of respect for a lot of the actresses in the film, there seems to be a trend here. Movies seem to be pursuing a female audience. Unfortunately for female movie goers, you miss out. Instead of Hollywood coming up with amazing new female lead stories, they’ll just cram down your throats an all female cast of a movie they’ve already had success with. It all adds up to a distraction. These characters fans have come to love are so etched in their hearts studios wouldn’t dream of anyone else playing them. Instead we get a reboot, with an all female cast, that does the characters we know and love zero justice. Where is this generations Ripley of the Alien movies, or roles like Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween, or even Sarah Connor in the Terminator. These are the roles missing for females, ones that can carry a franchise instead of being hand-me-downs of previous success.