'Ocean's Eleven' Prequel Status: Why Lee Isaac Chung Left the Margot Robbie Movie

Margot Robbie's heist prequel just hit another major speed bump. Lee Isaac Chung, the filmmaker behind 'Twisters' and 'Minari,' has officially stepped down from the project. This makes him the second director to exit the film after Jay Roach—the original choice back in 2022—also moved on.

According to a studio representative, the split was friendly and came down to different creative visions for the movie. Both Warner Bros. and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, released a statement praising Chung's talent and partnership throughout the process. They noted that working with him only made them more excited to find a different project to team up on in the future.

Image Courtesy: Getty

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Changes in 'Ocean's Eleven' Prequel Production

This prequel has seen a lot of moving parts since it was first announced. Set to be a fresh take on the franchise originally popularised by the Rat Pack and later revived by George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, the film was initially supposed to feature Robbie alongside her 'Barbie' co-star Ryan Gosling. By the time Chung entered talks in mid-2025, Bradley Cooper had become the top choice to star opposite Robbie.

While this specific project searches for a new leader, the rest of the 'Ocean's Eleven' is still moving fast. George Clooney recently mentioned that a separate sequel is already in the works with a solid script and an approved budget. That version reportedly has Soderbergh back in the director's chair and looks to reunite original stars like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

As for the departing directors, both are staying busy. Chung recently made a massive splash in the blockbuster world with 'Twisters,' following his Oscar-nominated success with 'Minari.' Meanwhile, Jay Roach—the veteran behind the 'Austin Powers' series—just released his latest film, the black comedy 'The Roses,' marking his first project since 2019's 'Bombshell.'

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