‘Kick-butt ensemble of women’ drew her in
MOVIES
NEW YORK — As Debbie Ocean, sister of a notorious dead con man, Sandra Bullock is hardly in mourning in “Ocean’s 8.” This femme-centric take on the “Ocean’s 11” heist trilogy sees Bullock rounding up a crew, following in the criminal footsteps of Debbie’s deceased sibling Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and executing a plan she spent five years behind bars perfecting.
Along for the ride, which takes place at Anna Wintour’s Met Costume Institute Gala, are Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway and Awkwafina, all gambling for millions.
The idea of a female franchise “Ocean’s” with Bullock first choice to star came from director Gary Ross (“Seabiscuit”).
“I realized that there had been a lot of male versions of this but never this kind of kick-butt ensemble of women,” he said.
“Sandy said, ‘Well, if the script doesn’t (stink) and if you actually get these people that you hope to get, then I might be interested’ — which we took as an absolute Yes.”
“I thought it was a fun idea,” Bullock, 53, said at a press conference at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur, a key setting for the heist.
Reflecting on her spectacular Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning career, Bullock added, “I feel really lucky because there’s no more stones I need to turn over. On this one I really feel that I came out with so much more than I ever imagined.
“They” — her cast members — “might not feel the same, but I don’t care. I feel very lucky.
“Also, one last thing, it’s women taking care of each other, being good to each other. Women stepping back and letting the more gifted step forward in the heist.
“Recognizing talent and saying, ‘Go out and shine. I’ve got your back’ — and not fighting . ... (Sure, we can fight, but we’re fighting for the greater good, which is a whole lot of money.)
“But to me the most important thing here was, I didn’t care about the heist as much as I cared about how they treated each other and how they lifted each other up.
“To me, that’s the world. It’s not the world that’s represented in media a lot. But really what’s happening is that there’s just so much love and support, we now need to show it. I think that will help equalize a lot of things.” (“Ocean’s 8” opens June 8.)