Andy Garcia Discusses "Ocean's 12"

Way back in October 2002, I did an interview with Andy Garcia for a movie he'd just completed called "The Man From Elysian Fields." During that interview, I brought up the possibility of an "Ocean's 11" sequel and asked Garcia his thoughts on the possibility of reuniting with writer/director Steven Soderbergh and the rest of the "Ocean's" gang. Garcia shared how he was eager to get back together with that ensemble of actors, and now that "Ocean's 12" is being released, Garcia's seems extremely content to have been given the chance to work with Soderbergh and the group for the 2004 sequel.

Garcia was dressed to the nines for the Hollywood Premiere of "Ocean's 12," a star-studded event held at Grauman's Chinese Theater in front of hundreds of enthusiastic fans. All smiles, here's what he had to say about working on "Ocean's 12" and his upcoming film, "The Lost City:"

INTERVIEW WITH ANDY GARCIA ('Terry Benedict'):

How quickly did you say yes when they called to ask you about "Ocean’s 12?"
Oh, very quickly.

Did you have to see the script?
No, no.

Did it matter the size of the role?
No, not at all.

What was life like on the set? Did you get into any of the hijinks?
Well I didn’t go to Europe with them but I lived vicariously through them, knowing what was going on.

So you heard a lot of good stories?
Oh yeah.

Any you can share?
No, not really. I know that it’s a group of guys that gets along very well so they try to have fun. They work hard and then they play hard.

Even with this big group of A-List stars, it doesn’t seem like anyone’s ego gets in the way. What makes this group so different in that respect?
These people don’t take themselves too seriously that way. They really are, they’re actors first and then stars as a by-product of that. So it’s not a crowd that brings that to the table.

Would you do an “Ocean’s 13?”
If Steve calls, I’m there.

Could you possibly be one of the thieves?
Who knows what they would come up with. I’m good either way – I could either kill them or join them (laughing). It doesn’t matter.

And you also have a project coming up that you directed, correct?
Right. I directed it while they went to Europe.

How did that go and when will it be released?
Very good. I’m very proud of it. Maybe at the end of next year. We’re still in post in it. It takes place in Havana at the turn of the Revolution in 1958, 1959.

Is this a story you’ve been trying to tell for a while?
Yes, very much so.

MORE INTERVIEWS FROM THE PREMIERE OF “OCEAN’S 12”
George Clooney / Matt Damon / Casey Affleck / Eddie Jemison / Premiere Guest Eva Longoria