The decision by Ocean’s 8 director and co-writer Gary Ross (and co-writer Olivia Milch) to name Sandra Bullock‘s lead character “Debbie” Ocean is an indication of where they and this stupid-ass, cash-grab franchise spinoff is coming from. Seriously….Debbie Ocean? What, she’s the sister of George Clooney‘s Danny Ocean who’s been waiting her turn? Debbie is a name for harried stay-at-home moms and lightweight girls who text and shop and read popular fiction between flights. Debbie means compliance, keeping your head down, servitude, going along. Debbie Dingbat, Debbie Does Dallas…that line of country. Women of substance with the D name call themselves Deborah. If Ross and Milch had any kind of coolness current they would recognize the absurdity of giving the head of a team of women thieves a Barbie Doll name and go instead with Millicent, Maxie, Hortense, Sassafras or Alicia…anything but fucking Debbie. Ocean’s 8 will open 17 months from now, on 6.8.18.

The Ocean’s 8 team (l. to r.): Lou (Cate Blanchett), Nine Ball (Rihanna), Amita (Mindy Kaling), Constance (Awkwafina), Rose (Helena Bonham Carter), Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), and Tammy (Sarah Paulson).