Surprisingly enough, it was nearly a full decade ago that Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy came to an end with Ocean's Thirteen. Next year, however, will see an immensely talented ensemble of actresses pick up the torch of the franchise. And while the release date for Ocean's 8 is still pretty far away, we now have our first look at the main cast:

Warner Bros. has officially released this debut image from the upcoming Ocean's 8, which is being directed by Gary Ross of The Hunger Games and Seabiscuit fame. As you can see, this shot brings together all of the principal players, including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Mindy Kailing, and Sarah Paulson - which is a pretty amazing group of people to have in the blockbuster.

The important element to take away is the location. The three Ocean's movies that were centered around the all-star cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and their eclectic ensemble usually took place in Las Vegas -- outside of the European jaunt that was Ocean's 12 (and I think I might be the only person alive who loves that movie). The first shot of Bullock, Blanchett and their team is distinctly set on a Manhattan subway car, tipping the hand that this will be a New York City-based con game, which already has us intrigued.

Ocean's Eight will be linked back to the previous three movies, not only with Sandra Bullock being the sister of Danny Ocean (George Clooney's character), but also with Matt Damon reprising his role as Linus Caldwell. The film will be set primarily in New York City as the group attempts a heist during the Met Gala. We don't yet know the primary antagonist in the feature (though the studio tells us it's NOT Damian Lewis, who is not in this movie), though we do know that the movie will also feature Olivia Munn, Richard Armitage, Katie Holmes, and James Corden.

According to a press release issued by Warner Bros. on behalf of the new film, it suggests that Ocean's 8 will be structured very much like that first Ocean's movie with Clooney. The wording on the release says this:

In Summer 2018, the tide will turn as Debbie Ocean (SANDRA BULLOCK) attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City's star-studded annual Met Gala. Her first stop is to assemble the perfect crew: Lou (CATE BLANCHETT); Nine Ball (RIHANNA); Amita (MINDY KALING); Constance (AWKWAFINA); Rose (HELENA BONHAM CARTER); Daphne Kluger (ANNE HATHAWAY); and Tammy (SARAH PAULSON).

So with Bullock in the Clooney role, expect her to spend a chunk of the movie getting her team together, and hopefully explaining to the audience early on WHY she needs to pull off this massive heist.

The next step on Ocean's 8 would be, we'd assume, a trailer. But seeing as how the con comedy doesn't arrive in theaters until June 2018, I'm guessing Warner Bros. still has plans to wait before they pull back any more curtain on this film. Heck, there are 2017 movies coming that still haven't shown trailers (nor should they). Ocean's 8 has time... but it also has a first-look photo. What are your thoughts on this upcoming project?

It didn't seem like you posted the photo or a link to the photo? Either way, here it is:

http://i.imgur.com/PuPHGe3.jpg