It’s been over 20 years since Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney remade the ’60s classic Ocean’s Eleven. The 2001 version became revered after its release, thanks to the biggest Hollywood stars of the time: Clooney, Soderbergh, Roberts, Damon, Pitt. But do you know everything about Las Vegas’ biggest “heist”? In this review on the unknown facts of the filming of the film.
Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in Ocean’s Thirteen (2007).
image source: Warner Bros.
George Clooney wasn’t the first Danny Ocean
Believe it or not, Bruce Willis was the first contestant for the role of “leader” in the story of 11 Friends. He was forced to stop working due to a heavy work schedule. However, he didn’t lose sight of the project, appearing in a cameo role in the sequel.
Clooney attached $20 to the script when he sent it to Julia Roberts.
He also left a note, “I heard you’re getting 20 for a picture now,” a reference to Roberts’ status as the highest-paid Hollywood actress at the time. For every movie she worked on, she was paid $20 million.
Between shoots, the actors played slot machines and roulette
Gambling was such a common pastime for the film crew that George Clooney once lost 25 hands of blackjack in a row. Former colleagues and friends are still arguing over who made more money next. Clooney claims to be Matt Damon, and that one is Brad Pitt.
Still from the movie “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001)
image source: Warner Bros.
The role of Matt Damon was intended for Mar Wahlberg
Wahlberg turned down an offer to play Tim Burton in a remake of Planet of the Apes (2001). However, this fantastic film of course lost at the box office to Ocean’s Eleven. $362 million versus $450 million. Wahlberg might have regretted the rejection.
Don Cheadle demanded to pay him a fee at the same level as Clooney and Pitt
The then 36-year-old black actor’s request was not granted and he insisted that his name not be mentioned in the credits. Although in the film he played one of the main roles. When Cheadle returned to star in the sequels – Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) – he was paid even more than he asked for. His protest therefore only worked in his favour.
Brad Pitt’s wig was taken on the set of another Hollywood blockbuster
The wig that Brad Pitt’s character uses to dress up as a doctor is from the movie Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997).
The film crew lost three high-class actors to Wes Anderson
Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson were supposed to star in the Malloy brothers’ ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, but left the project because of an old friend. Director Wes Anderson called them to star in The Tenenbaums, and the Wilsons couldn’t turn him down. Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon) was also supposed to play Frank and also changed his mind when he went to Anderson’s set. As a result, the roles were received by Bernie Mac, Scott Caan and Casey Affleck.
Brad Pitt’s hero learned to play poker as a childhood idol
All of the actors who became students of the tireless Robert “Rusty” Ryan, played by Brad Pitt, were popular actors in the early 2000s. Holly Marie Combs was featured on Charmed, Topher Grace on That ’70s Show, Joshua Jackson on Dawson’s Creek, Barry Watson on 7th Heaven and Shane West on Again and Again.
The role of Don Cheadle was intended for a British actor
Explosives specialist Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle) was to be played by a Brit, according to Soderbergh’s plan. But Cheadle won the director’s heart by appearing on the television series The Rat Pack, playing Sammy Davis Jr., the star of the first Ocean’s Eleven (1960), on television.
Still from the movie “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001)
image source: Warner Bros.
The stars of the 1960 film played in the episode
Henry Silva and Angie Dickinson, who played significant roles in the “old” “Ocean’s Eleven”, appear in Soderbergh’s film in the episode – spectators at a boxing match.
The names of the heroes have been changed except for one
There are several direct references to the 1960 film in the 2001 film. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is the only one left with his name from the original, the names of the other characters have been changed.
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