- Behind-the-scenes footage reveals classic Formula 1 machinery filming action sequences in the Port of Nice for Bradley Cooper’s upcoming Ocean’s prequel.
- Set around the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, the storyline centers on Danny Ocean’s parents orchestrating a heist during the iconic race weekend.
- Margot Robbie stars and produces the feature, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 25, 2027.
Vintage F1 Action Filmed at the Port of Nice
Filming for Bradley Cooper’s highly anticipated Ocean’s prequel has provided the public with its clearest look yet at the production’s vintage motorsport sequences. Recent behind-the-scenes footage circulating on Instagram shows the working harbour at the Port of Nice transformed into an authentic, early-1960s European road racing circuit, demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to recreating period-accurate track competition.
The on-set footage captures a specialized Nissan GT-R camera tracking vehicle fitted with a crane rig leading a pack of vintage open-wheel racers along the water’s edge. Production barriers and temporary sets line both sides of the makeshift street circuit. In the lead position, a dark red race car bearing a white racing stripe navigates the asphalt with a historic racer resembling an early Brabham Formula 1 car drafting closely behind it, followed by a dense field of vintage competitors.
Period Detailing and High-Speed Hairpin Sequences
As the tracking camera pans across the quayside, the working marine infrastructure blends with period set dressings. The official port authority building, displaying its “Service Plaisance Yachting” signage, shares the quay with production support trucks, trailers, and crew staging hubs. The surrounding track infrastructure and racing machines feature period-accurate retro branding from legacy motorsport sponsors, including Shell, BP, and Martini.
The sequence highlights precision driving at a tight waterfront hairpin turn lined with traditional protective hay bales. In the footage, the pack compresses tightly through the sharp corner adjacent to the Mediterranean, culminating in the trailing blue open-wheeler pressuring the rear gearbox of the red lead car before successfully completing an overtake.
Production History, Plot, and Cast Details
The currently untitled Ocean’s prequel shifts the franchise narrative back to the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The plot follows the parents of classic franchise lead Danny Ocean as they execute a complex heist against the backdrop of the glamorous motorsport event. Filming spans several prominent European destinations, including Paris, Monaco, and Nice.
Bradley Cooper has assumed full writing, directing, and acting duties on the production. This leadership change came after director Lee Isaac Chung exited the project in March 2026 citing disagreements over the creative direction of the film. Cooper is joined by Margot Robbie, who both stars in and produces the movie. Detailing the foundational premise of the prequel, Margot Robbie said: “Before Danny Ocean ever stepped foot in Vegas, two masterminds taught him everything he knows: his parents.”
Alongside Cooper and Robbie, the high-profile ensemble cast is understood to feature Wagner Moura, Monica Barbaro, Vicky Krieps, George MacKay, and Omar Sy.
Why This Matters
The practical racing shoot in Nice underlines Hollywood’s renewed investment in authentic motorsport cinema, following the technical footsteps of recent genre-defining projects. Rather than relying heavily on digital visual effects, the production’s deployment of real vintage single-seaters on tight European coastal streets signals a desire for tactile realism. Furthermore, by linking the origin story of the Ocean’s lineage directly to the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, the production bridges classic high-stakes heist tropes with one of motorsport’s most celebrated historical eras.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Bradley Cooper Ocean’s prequel be released?
The untitled film is scheduled to be released on June 25, 2027.
What is the plot of the new Ocean’s prequel?
The story follows Danny Ocean’s parents as they carry out a heist during the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, exploring the origins and mentorship that influenced the master thief before the events of the Las Vegas heists.
Where is the Ocean’s prequel being filmed?
Production is taking place across multiple European locations, specifically utilizing backdrops in Nice, Monaco, and Paris.
