Meet the cast of Ocean's Eight

Los Angeles - Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway have joined the cast of Ocean's Eight.

The trio, along with Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina aka Nora Lum, have signed up to star alongside previously-announced cast members Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett in the upcoming movie, a spin-off from Ocean's Eleven, Deadline reports.

The movie will begin filming in New York in October, although casting on the project - which will be directed by Gary Ross - is not yet complete, with 'Hunger Games' star Elizabeth Banks rumoured to be in the frame for a role.

Clooney, Pitt, Damon cameos

There is also the possibility of cameo appearances from stars of the 2000s trilogy, which featured the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.

Plot details have yet to be announced, but according to reports, the film will revolve around a heist at the Met Gala. 

Village Roadshow Pictures is co-financing and co-producing the venture with Warner Bros, while Ocean's Eleven director Steven Soderbergh is on board to produce.

Director Ross has penned the script with Olivia Milch, and Susan Ekins is executive producer.

The filmmaker recently promised the movie will be an "extension and a continuation" of the Clooney-led trilogy.

He said: "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."

And he promised the "tone" will be the same as in the previous films and admitted he is "thrilled and honoured" to be playing a key role in extending the franchise.

He added: "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 honoured to be extending it. It's really fun to work with."

The first Ocean's 11 movie was made in 1960 and saw Frank Sinatra in the title role of Danny Ocean, with his co-stars including fellow Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

George Clooney took on the role he made famous in the 2001 movie, reprising the part for Ocean's Twelve in 2004 and Ocean's Thirteen three years later.