George Clooney has recently confirmed significant progress on the highly anticipated sequel, tentatively referred to as “Ocean’s 14,” revealing that the budget has been officially approved by Warner Bros. Speaking to E! News, the Oscar-winning actor indicated that the production is currently focused on scheduling, with filming projected to commence in approximately nine to ten months, setting the stage for a potential release in 2027.

The upcoming crime caper is expected to bring back beloved original franchise stars, including Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. Clooney expressed his enthusiasm for reuniting with his long-time friends, stating, “Yeah, Brad, Matt and Don and Julia. I had dinner last night with Julia. They’re all still really dear friends. And so, the chance to work together would be fun.” David Leitch, known for his work on “The Fall Guy” and “Bullet Train,” has been tapped to direct the sequel, a detail Variety reported earlier this year.

The “Ocean’s” franchise has a rich history, beginning with Steven Soderbergh's critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Ocean’s Eleven” in 2001, which grossed over $450 million worldwide. This was followed by “Ocean’s Twelve” in 2004 ($362 million) and “Ocean’s Thirteen” in 2007 ($311 million). A successful all-female spinoff, “Ocean’s 8,” was released in 2018, starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, and Anne Hathaway, achieving $297 million at the global box office.

Clooney had previously hinted at a “great script” for another “Ocean's” film in 2023, though he was hesitant to explicitly call it “Ocean’s 14.” He mentioned the idea was “kind of like 'Going in Style,'” referring to Martin Brest’s 1979 heist comedy about three senior citizens teaming up for a heist, which was later remade in 2017. This suggests a potentially fresh take on the classic heist narrative within the “Ocean's” universe.

It is important to note that this new “Ocean's” entry is distinct from another previously reported franchise prequel. That prequel, set in 1960s Europe, is slated to star “Barbie” favorites Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, with filmmaker Jay Roach directing and Carrie Solomon writing. Separately, Clooney and Pitt recently collaborated on the Apple TV+ thriller “Wolfs,” a film that saw a greenlit sequel halted due to director Jon Watts' dissatisfaction with its release handling, highlighting their continued professional camaraderie beyond the “Ocean's” saga.