Damian Lewis in Talks to Play Villain Opposite Sandra Bullock in 'Ocean's Eight'

By Justin Kroll, Variety

Damian Lewis is in final negotiations to join the cast of Ocean’s Eight, the all-female spinoff of Ocean’s Eleven starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway.

Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, and Sarah Paulson are also on board with Gary Ross directing.

The film is set to bow on June 8, 2018.

Bullock’s character is the leader of a group of thieves and cons who try to pull off a major heist. Lewis will play Bullock’s ex-lover and the target of the gang’s robbery.

Lewis had been spotted on set in recent weeks and sources now confirm he has more then a simple cameo in the movie.

Ross is directing from a script that he co-wrote with Olivia Milch.

Ocean’s Eleven director Steven Soderbergh and Ross will produce with executive producer Susan Ekins. Village Roadshow is co-producing and co-financing, as it did with the three previous Ocean’s movies starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Greg Silverman and Jesse Ehrman are overseeing the film for the studio. Production is scheduled to begin soon in New York.

Lewis, a Homeland alum, recently wrapped production on the second season of the Showtime drama Billions, which premieres in February. He is repped by UTA, and Markham, Froggatt & Irwin.