Coen Brothers Nearly Starred in Ocean's Eleven Heist Film
Joel and Ethan Coen were almost cast as the Malloy brothers in Steven Soderbergh's $450 million blockbuster, a casting choice the director called 'not the worst idea.'
Most acclaimed directors stick to what they know best: staying behind the camera. Joel and Ethan Coen have made this their golden rule throughout their careers. Their entire acting resume consists of two forgettable cameos in Sam Raimi films, appearing as reporters in Crimewave and a car driver in Darkman.
Unlike Quentin Tarantino or M. Night Shyamalan, who regularly insert themselves into their own movies with mixed results, the Coens have shown zero interest in stepping into the spotlight. They're not Alfred Hitchcock types either, content with brief background appearances.
Warner Bros' Surprising Casting Consideration
But in September 2000, Hollywood trade papers reported something unexpected. Warner Bros was reportedly considering the Coen brothers for actual speaking roles in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming Ocean's Eleven remake. The parts in question? Turk and Virgil Malloy, the bickering sibling duo.
The Wilson brothers, Luke and Owen, were originally slated for these roles. Scheduling conflicts with Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums forced them to drop out. Casey Affleck and Scott Caan eventually landed the parts, despite looking nothing like brothers.
Four months before filming began, the Coen brothers' names surfaced as potential replacements. For two filmmakers who avoid acting like the plague, this represented a massive departure from their usual approach.
Soderbergh's Reaction to the Idea
Soderbergh admits he doesn't remember if the studio seriously pursued this casting choice. He suspects George Clooney, who had worked with both him and the Coens, might have suggested the idea as a joke that gained traction.
'It doesn't sound like a terrible idea,' Soderbergh said years later. 'And I'm sure George had a hand in that, because he had just worked with them.'
The director acknowledged the practical challenges such casting would present. 'If it didn't get shot fairly quickly by one of us, they would have shot it down pretty quickly, I'm sure,' he explained. 'Hey, it's not the worst casting idea I've ever heard, I'll say that.'
What Could Have Been
Soderbergh seemed genuinely open to the concept, though he recognized the Coens' lack of acting experience would require rapid filming of their scenes. The brothers would likely have needed to capture their dialogue quickly before losing confidence or interest.
The casting ultimately worked out for everyone involved. Ocean's Eleven became a $450 mn worldwide hit, spawning two sequels. It's hard to imagine the Coen brothers committing to a three-film franchise, given their preference for standalone projects and artistic independence.
Still, the idea of seeing Joel and Ethan Coen as con artists in Danny Ocean's crew remains one of Hollywood's most intriguing what-if scenarios.