Narcos Star Wagner Moura Joins Margot Robbie in High-Stakes 'Ocean's' Prequel

Oscar nominee Wagner Moura is currently in negotiations to join the highly anticipated "Ocean's" prequel, set to star Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper. Cooper is slated to direct the film, which is scheduled for a June 25, 2027 release from Warner Bros. He will also produce the project alongside LuckyChap, the production company led by Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Milan Popelka, and Robbie.

Plot details for the prequel, with a screenplay written by Cooper, have been kept under wraps, described as "locked in the vault." However, Margot Robbie made a significant reveal at CinemaCon, confirming that the movie will be set during the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix. The story will center on the crafty parents of Danny Ocean, the notorious con-man who orchestrated the Las Vegas casino heist in the iconic "Ocean's 11." Robbie teased the premise, stating, "Before Danny Ocean ever stepped foot in Vegas, two masterminds taught him everything he knows — his parents. You’ll see them in their prime, and in our new movie, pulling off an epic heist at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix."

Wagner Moura, known for his impactful performances, is expected to play the feature villain in the prequel, though specifics about his role remain undisclosed. Moura recently made history as the first Brazilian to receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination and to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, both for his starring role in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent.” He also garnered the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival and from the New York Critics Circle for this towering performance. His impressive filmography includes Alex Garland’s “Civil War” and his memorable portrayal of cartel boss Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s “Narcos.” In other recent news, Moura has also joined the Star Wars universe in the animated Disney Plus series, "Maul — Shadow Lord."

Margot Robbie, who is not only starring but also producing, has solidified her position as one of the world's leading movie stars and a dependable box office draw. Her career highlights include "Barbie," her highest-grossing film and one of the biggest box office hits ever, and the Emerald Fennell-directed "Wuthering Heights" adaptation, which grossed over $240 million. While her recent romantic fantasy epic "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" had a modest box office performance, the "Ocean's" prequel is set to be a significant project for her moving forward.

The "Ocean's" franchise has a rich history, beginning with the original "Ocean’s 11" in 1960, which featured Rat Pack members like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Steven Soderbergh's 2001 remake, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, revitalized the series, leading to two sequels, "Ocean’s Twelve" (2004) and "Ocean’s Thirteen" (2007). The franchise also saw a reboot in 2018 with "Ocean’s Eight," featuring Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett. Collectively, these films have generated over $1.4 billion at the global box office. The upcoming prequel is based on characters originally created by George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell, with Carrie Solomon handling previous screenplay drafts. Josey McNamara, Bronte Payne, Bobby Wilhelm, Jay Roach, Michelle Graham, Lee Isaac Chung, Ashley Jay Sandberg, Gary Ross, and Olivia Milch serve as executive producers for the new film.