AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated Ocean's Eleven prequel starring Margot Robbie has encountered another setback with the departure of its director, Lee Isaac Chung. Following in the footsteps of original director Jay Roach, who exited earlier, Chung has now left the project due to creative differences, according to a Warner Bros. spokesperson.

In an official statement, Warner Bros. and Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap, expressed their appreciation for Chung’s contributions, calling him a “singular filmmaking talent” whose involvement has been invaluable. They emphasized that the split was amicable and reaffirmed their enthusiasm for future collaborations with him.

The prequel aims to expand on the iconic heist franchise initiated by Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney, and Warner Bros. in 2001. That film itself was a remake of the classic 1960 original that featured the legendary “Rat Pack” stars Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Initially, Roach was tapped to direct the new installment, with The Good Fight writer Carrie Solomon attached to the screenplay.

Following the announcement of Roach’s involvement, Ryan Gosling entered talks to join Robbie in the cast. However, by July 2025, Roach had departed, and Chung was considered the frontrunner to take over directing duties. Around the same time, Bradley Cooper emerged as a leading candidate to star alongside Robbie.

Meanwhile, franchise co-creator George Clooney revealed that a separate follow-up to the Ocean’s series is in development, boasting an approved budget and a “great script” at Warner Bros. This sequel is set to bring back director Soderbergh along with original stars such as Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Julia Roberts. Although the title for this project remains unconfirmed, it promises to continue the legacy of the Ocean’s franchise.

Lee Isaac Chung gained recognition with his 2020 breakout film Minari, which earned six Academy Award nominations and won supporting actress Youn Yuh-jung an Oscar. He recently ventured into franchise filmmaking with the 2024 disaster sequel Twisters. In contrast, Jay Roach is known for directing the lucrative Austin Powers series and has a history of releasing films every few years. His most recent work, the black comedy The Roses, came out after a lengthy gap following the political drama Bombshell.

As the Ocean's Eleven prequel searches for a new director, fans of the franchise await further announcements about the cast and production timeline. With Robbie continuing to spearhead the project through LuckyChap, the studio remains committed to delivering a fresh take on the beloved heist saga.