“Sea of Love” and “Switch” star in Clooney sequel

This is interesting.

Julia Roberts led the first round of femmes, Catherine Zeta Jones was the fem-pack boss of the second….who’s going to be the leading lady of “Ocean’s Thirteen”?

Nup, not Uma. Not Sandy. Not Charlize. Not even Eva.

Ellen Barkin. Yep, Ellen Barkin. Interesting in a ‘Thought they might chase someone further up the list’ sense, huh? And especially considering both Roberts and Zeta Jones aren’t returning for the new sequel.

She was great in her day. Who can forget her sultry performances in both “Sea of Love” and “The Big Easy”? And though it was critically bashed, I thought she was rather superb in Blade Edwards’ ill-fated “Switch”, as well. She also put in a good turn as Calamity Jane in the so-so “Wild Bill”, a few years back.

Thing is…. Can she still bring it?

I guess Steven Soderbergh seems to think so. I’m sure she had to test – it wouldn’t have been an out and out offer like Roberts or Zeta Jones would have recieved – so they were obviously rather impressed….in something about her.

Apparently Barkin will play a woman who gets involved with the much-younger Matt Damon.

“Ocean’s Thirteen”, which will film primarily on Warner sound stages this time (where a fully operational casino will be built), starts filming July 21st.