Ocean’s 8 is the latest installment in the Ocean’s franchise, a series of heist comedy films that began with Ocean’s Eleven in 2001. The movie features an all-female cast of thieves who plan to steal a valuable necklace from the Met Gala in New York. But how does Ocean’s 8 connect to the previous films? Is it a sequel, a prequel, a reboot, or something else? Here are some facts you need to know about the relationship between Ocean’s 8 and Ocean’s 11.
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The Same Universe
The first and most obvious connection between Ocean’s 8 and Ocean’s 11 is that they take place in the same universe. This means that the characters and events from the previous films are part of the same reality as the new film. Ocean’s 8 is not a remake or a reimagining of Ocean’s 11, but rather a spin-off that focuses on a different group of criminals.
The main link between the two films is Debbie Ocean, played by Sandra Bullock. She is the sister of Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, who was the leader of the original gang of thieves. Debbie shares her brother’s talent for planning and executing elaborate heists, as well as his penchant for getting into trouble with the law. According to Cinemablend, Debbie says in the film:
We’re not a reboot. We’re just a this is what’s happening in 2017. It’s not even a passing of the torch. It’s a parallel story of another family member that was raised in the same family Danny Ocean was and what happens when Debbie steps out of jail with all of these amazing, powerful women.
The Fate of Danny Ocean
One of the biggest mysteries in Ocean’s 8 is what happened to Danny Ocean. The film reveals that he died in 2018, and shows his grave in New York. However, there are hints that he may have faked his own death, as Debbie and other characters express doubts about his demise. According to Polygon, Debbie visits his grave and makes some snide remarks about his possible survival. The film also shows a photo of Danny in Debbie’s hotel room, with a message that says “You better be in or you better be out”.
It is unclear why Danny would fake his death, or if he will ever return to the franchise. George Clooney, who played Danny in the previous films, did not appear in Ocean’s 8, although he was one of the producers. It is possible that he wanted to leave the door open for future appearances, or that he simply wanted to give more spotlight to the new cast.
The Return of Reuben and Yen
While most of the original cast members did not show up in Ocean’s 8, there were two exceptions: Reuben Tishkoff and Yen. Reuben, played by Elliott Gould, was one of Danny’s closest friends and partners in crime. He appears briefly in Ocean’s 8, visiting Danny’s grave and offering some advice to Debbie. He also sports a flashy outfit that Debbie compliments as “sharp”.
Yen, played by Shaobo Qin, was the acrobat who helped Danny break into the casino vault in Ocean’s Eleven. He also appears briefly in Ocean’s 8, as part of Debbie’s secret plan to steal more jewels from the Met Gala. He performs his usual feats of agility and stealth, hanging from the ceiling and sneaking into the display cases.
The Nods to the Previous Films
Apart from the characters and plot points mentioned above, there are also some subtle nods to the previous films in Ocean’s 8. For example, both films start with a parole hearing, where Debbie and Danny convince the board that they are reformed and ready to rejoin society. Both films also end with a twist reveal that there was a bigger heist within the heist, involving more accomplices and more loot.
Another nod to the previous films is the use of music. According to PopSugar, Ocean’s 8 features some songs from the original soundtrack, such as “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy and “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley. The film also uses some songs that reference or parody the previous films, such as “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra and “You Can’t Do That” by The Beatles.
Conclusion
Ocean’s 8 is a spin-off of Ocean’s 11 that takes place in the same universe as the previous films. It features Debbie Ocean, the sister of Danny Ocean, who leads a new team of female thieves to steal a necklace from the Met Gala. The film has some connections to the previous films, such as the fate of Danny Ocean, the return of Reuben and Yen, and some nods to the original soundtrack and plot twists. However, it also stands on its own as a fun and entertaining heist comedy that showcases the talent and charisma of its cast.
