First Look: Bradley Cooper's Ocean's Prequel Brings 1960s F1 Racing to Life

Footage emerging from the Port of Nice provides the first clear glimpse into how Bradley Cooper's untitled Ocean's prequel will integrate motorsport. The working harbor has been meticulously transformed into a 1960s-era European road course, signaling a high level of commitment to racing authenticity.

Why it matters:

By recreating the atmosphere of the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, the production aims to blend a high-stakes heist narrative with the golden age of Formula 1. For motorsport fans, the focus on period-accurate cars and track conditions suggests the film will treat the racing elements as a central pillar of the plot rather than a mere backdrop.

The details:

• On-screen action: Footage shows a pack of vintage open-wheel racers—including a dark red car resembling a Brabham—navigating a tight hairpin lined with hay bales.
• Authentic branding: The cars and barriers feature retro livery from iconic sponsors such as Martini, BP, and Shell.
• Production scale: The quay is filled with film trailers and crew staging areas, with a Nissan GT-R camera vehicle utilizing a crane to capture high-speed parallel action.
• Cinematic realism: The sequences include aggressive driving maneuvers, specifically a blue car crowding the gearbox of the lead red car to execute an overtake at the water's edge.

The big picture:

The film explores the origins of the Ocean legacy, focusing on Danny Ocean's parents who are orchestrating a heist over a race weekend. The project has seen significant leadership changes, with Bradley Cooper assuming writing, directing, and acting duties following Lee Isaac Chung's departure in March 2026 due to creative differences. The production is utilizing a multi-city European strategy, filming across Paris, Monaco, and Nice to capture the era's essence.

What's next:

With a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie, Wagner Moura, and Omar Sy, the film is scheduled for release on June 25, 2027. The current filming phase in Nice suggests that the racing sequences are now entering a critical production stage, promising a visually authentic tribute to early F1 racing.