One of the more curious projects in the works at the moment is a female-driven Ocean’s Eleven spinoff. At first, this seemed like one of those ideas that might resurface from time to time but never actually get made, but having amassed an impressive ensemble that may include some combination of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Elizabeth Banks, and maybe Jennifer Lawrence, this thing is not only happening, it actually sounds like it could be terrific.

Rumors have been circulating about the project over the past month or two, but here’s what we know for sure: it was hatched by Ocean’s trilogy helmer Steven Soderbergh and The Hunger Games director Gary Ross, with Ross set to direct this fall. Now, with the historical drama Free State of Jones on the horizon, Ross has revealed some further details about the movie to /Film, including how it all started:

“I think it’s a pretty similar tone. You know, Steven Soderbergh and I are incredibly close friends, and we would not have done this if we weren’t. I don’t think he would’ve wanted anyone to do it if we weren’t. This is very much an extension and a continuation. He’s a producer on the movie. In one way or another, this has been a 20-year conversation between Steven and I, collaborating in ways the whole world doesn’t know about: I helped him on the previous Ocean’s Eleven films; he shot second unit on The Hunger Games; I’ve done ADR lines for him; and he reads all my scripts. It’s a very long, ongoing collaboration. This, I think, is a very seamless process.”

Ross also revealed that the film’s title, for now, is Ocean’s Eight, and discussed how this new film will maintain the same tone as Soderbergh’s stellar Ocean’s trilogy:

“We’re different filmmakers, obviously, so there will be those differences, but one of the things I’m drawn to is the amazing tone Steven was able to create, and we discuss that a lot. We discuss the cinema a lot, the shooting style, the rhythm, the editing style, and the music. We discuss it all. I’m in no way trying to reinvent the tone, and I’m thrilled and honored to be extending it. It’s really fun to work with.”

Casting is obviously still in flux as Ross intends to bring together a cast as impressive as the first Ocean’s movie, but this really is shaping up to be quite interesting. And wouldn’t it be neat if Soderbergh served as cinematographer? Stay tuned…