As "Ocean's Eleven" spinoff flick "Ocean's Eight" (formerly known as "Ocean's Ocho") comes into focus, director Gary Ross is teasing that the cast is so starry, its announcement would "blow up the internet."

That's what Ross told SlashFilm in a new interview, in which the director neither confirmed nor denied previous reports and rumors that the flick would be anchored by Sandra Bullock (in the George Clooney ringleader role) and also feature Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Banks, Helena Bonham Carter, and Mindy Kaling. While fans will have to wait to hear confirmed details about that explosive group of women, Ross did reveal a few key bits of intel about how the project came together, and how it will try to mimic the tone of director Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's" trilogy.

As Ross explained to SlashFilm, he and Soderbergh have been friends for 20 years, and have been collaborating on each other's films for much of that time (Ross helped out on the "Ocean's" films, for instance, while Soderbergh was a second unit director for "The Hunger Games"). Ross said that their existing working relationship was the inspiration for him to tackle the "Ocean's" universe himself, and that he's doing so entirely with Soderbergh's blessing and support (the latter filmmaker will serve as a producer on "Eight").

"I think it's a pretty similar tone," Ross told the site of comparing "Eight" with the "Eleven" films, noting that his flick is "an extension and a continuation" of Soderbergh's series. " ... 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. ... 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."

It sounds like Ross has an incredibly specific vision for his version of "Ocean's," and we're excited that "Eight" will also wink to its charming and fun inspirations at the same time. For more from Ross on the "Ocean's Eight" creative process, check out his entire interview with SlashFilm here.

Photo credit: ​Getty Images for The People's Choice Awards