'I'm chasing something else': Steven Soderbergh turned down Ocean's franchise return

Steven Soderbergh rejected the chance to return to the 'Ocean's' franchise.

The 61-year-old director oversaw the 2000s heist trilogy but has no plans to get involved in George Clooney's proposed sequel or the prequel movie that will star Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

Speaking to Variety, Steven said: "After we made the third movie, I felt like the series was very much concluded for me.

"When the studio approached me to see if I'd be involved in continuing the franchise, I told them no, because it just doesn't feel like a move forward for me.

"I'm chasing something else."

Clooney hinted last month that another 'Ocean's' film could be in the pipeline as he is in possession of a "great script".

The 62-year-old star – who led an ensemble cast that also featured Brad Pitt and Matt Damon – told Uproxx: "We have a really good script for another 'Ocean's' now, so we could end up doing another one. It's actually a great script."

Questioned if the new picture would be titled 'Ocean's Fourteen', Clooney answered: "Well... I don't want to call it that... I mean, the idea is kind of like 'Going in Style'."

The 'Ocean's' franchise is already expanding with a prequel movie featuring Margot and Ryan set in 1960s Monte Carlo and Clooney has given his seal of approval for the project.

He said: "Yeah! Margot Robbie is my mother? I've always thought that.

"Ryan Gosling is my father. Now, when you think about it, it makes sense. Truly."

Producer Josey McNamara previously insisted that the 'Barbie' co-stars will "do right by" the franchise – which originated from the 1960 Rat Pack flick 'Ocean's 11' – and expressed his excitement at the duo sharing a screen again.

He told Games Radar: "They're wonderful together. The more projects even outside of that we can have them do would be amazing.

"I can't really say much, but I think we're just trying to do right by the franchise. I'm excited for people to experience it when it's ready."