Editing Steven Soderbergh (section)

===1998–2008: reemergence and ''Ocean's'' trilogy===
Soderbergh's reemergence began in 1998 with ''[[Out of Sight]]'', a stylized adaptation of an [[Elmore Leonard]] novel, written by [[Scott Frank]] and starring [[George Clooney]] and [[Jennifer Lopez]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/73232/17-fast-paced-facts-about-out-sight|title=17 Fast-Paced Facts About ''Out of Sight''|last=Cormier|first=Roger|date=January 11, 2016|work=Mental Floss|access-date=April 14, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104420/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73232/17-fast-paced-facts-about-out-sight|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was widely praised, though only a moderate box-office success.<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/the-100-greatest-movies-of-the-90s-w486390/out-of-sight-1998-w487880|title=The 100 Greatest Movies of the Nineties|last=Krepps|first=Daniel|date=July 12, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104429/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/the-100-greatest-movies-of-the-nineties-195513/out-of-sight-1998-196245/|url-status=live}}</ref> The critical reception of the movie began a multi-movie artistic partnership between Clooney and Soderbergh. Soderbergh followed up on the success of ''Out of Sight'' by making another crime caper, ''[[The Limey]]'' (1999), from a screenplay by [[Lem Dobbs]] and starring actors [[Terence Stamp]] and [[Peter Fonda]]. The film was well-received and established him within the [[Film genre|cinematic niche]] of thriller and heist films.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-new-cult-canon-the-limey-filmmaker-commentary-trac-1798215723|title=The New Cult Canon: The Limey filmmaker commentary track|last=Tobias|first=Scott|date=November 2, 2009|work=Film|access-date=April 14, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104428/https://film.avclub.com/the-new-cult-canon-the-limey-filmmaker-commentary-trac-1798215723|url-status=live}}</ref> He ventured into his first biographical film since <i>Kafka</i> in 2000 when he directed ''[[Erin Brockovich (film)|Erin Brockovich]]'', written by [[Susannah Grant]] and starring [[Julia Roberts]] in her [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning role as a single mother taking on industry in a civil action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0101,lim,21165,1.html|title=Both Sides Now. Having Your Way With Hollywood, or the Further Adventures of Steven Soderbergh|author=Dennis Lim|date=January 3, 2001|access-date=March 23, 2006|archive-date=December 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210132428/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0101,lim,21165,1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late 2000, Soderbergh released ''[[Traffic (2000 film)|Traffic]]'', a social drama written by [[Stephen Gaghan]] and featuring an ensemble cast.<ref name=":22">{{Cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2047516,00.html|title=Soderbergh's Choice The director hits homers with Erin Brockovich and Traffic, thus facing off against himself in the Oscar race|last=Cagle|first=Jess|date=March 19, 2003|magazine=Time|access-date=April 14, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104408/https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/230919112.js|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' compared him to a baseball player hitting [[home run]]s with ''Erin Brockovich'' and ''Traffic''.<ref name=":22" /> Both films would be nominated at the [[73rd Academy Awards|2001 Academy Awards]], making him the first director to have been nominated in the same year for [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] for two different films since Michael Curtiz in 1938. He was awarded the [[Academy Award for Best Director]] for ''Traffic'' and received best director nominations at the year's [[Golden Globes|Golden Globe]] and the [[Directors Guild of America]] Awards.<ref name="Germain">{{Cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/magazine/20010319academy.asp|title=Dual nominations for director Soderbergh|last=Germain|first=David|date=March 22, 2001|website=old.post-gazette.com|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Haygood">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/oscars/gladiator-captures-12-oscar-nominations.html |title='Gladiator' Captures 12 Oscar Nominations |last=Haygood |first=Clare Bundy |date=November 13, 2001 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 14, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104409/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/oscars/gladiator-captures-12-oscar-nominations.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Christopher_Nolan,_London,_2013_(crop).jpg|thumb|214x214px|Soderbergh supported director [[Christopher Nolan]] ''(pictured)'' in his transition from [[Independent film|independent]] to [[Film studio|studio filmmaking]].]]
In early 2001, he was approached to direct ''[[Ocean's Eleven]]'', a reboot of the 1960s [[Rat Pack]]-movie ''[[Ocean's 11]]'' written by [[Ted Griffin]]. After Griffin wrote the screenplay, Soderbergh signed on to direct. The film opened to critical acclaim and widespread commercial success.<ref name=":32">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-oceans-eleven-movies-w449145|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About the 'Ocean's Eleven' Movies|last=Murray|first=Noel|date=November 28, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104432/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-oceans-eleven-movies-123424/|url-status=live}}</ref> It quickly became Soderbergh's highest-grossing movie to date, grossing more than $183&nbsp;million domestically and more than $450&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=stevensoderbergh.htm|title=Steven Soderbergh Movie Box Office Results|access-date=December 19, 2007|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104408/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/name/nm0001752/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/|title=All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses|access-date=May 18, 2009|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023105800/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' credited the movie with "[spawning] a new era of heist movies".<ref name=":32" /> In the same year, Soderbergh made ''[[Full Frontal (film)|Full Frontal]]'', which was shot mostly on digital video in an improvisational style that deliberately blurred the line between which actors were playing characters and which were playing fictionalized versions of themselves.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Soderbergh bares 'Full Frontal' |last=Archerd |first=Army |date=July 24, 2002 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/columns/soderbergh-bares-full-frontal-1117870204/ |access-date=April 14, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104414/https://variety.com/2002/film/columns/soderbergh-bares-full-frontal-1117870204/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A year later, he was asked by executives at [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]] Studios to direct the psychological thriller ''[[Insomnia (2002 film)|Insomnia]]'' (2002), starring Academy Award winners [[Al Pacino]], [[Robin Williams]], and [[Hilary Swank]]. Despite their insistence, Soderbergh declined, preferring to see it directed by up-and-coming director [[Christopher Nolan]].<ref>[[Sharon Waxman|Waxman]] (2005), p. 15</ref>

Before returning to the ''Ocean's'' series, Soderbergh directed ''[[K Street (TV series)|K Street]]'' (2003), a ten-part political [[HBO]] series he co-produced with George Clooney.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1431770|title=Clooney and Soderbergh's 'K Street'|last=Bianculli|first=David|date=September 15, 2003|work=NPR|access-date=April 15, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104423/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1431770|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was both partially improvised and each episode being produced in the five days prior to airing to take advantage of topical events that could be worked into the fictional narrative.<ref name="NPR.org">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1431770|title=Clooney and Soderbergh's 'K Street'|work=NPR|access-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104415/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1431770|url-status=live}}</ref> Actual political players appeared as themselves, either in [[Cameo appearance|cameos]] or portraying fictionalized versions of themselves, notably [[James Carville]] and [[Mary Matalin]].<ref name="NPR.org"/>{{quote box
| quote = The reason my career took such a left turn at a certain point was because I realized I was in danger of becoming a [[Formalist film theory|formalist]]. But that wasn't the best representation of me–even as a person. It's easy to fall into that because it's a very isolated position to occupy and it's easy to keep other elements–people and ideas–at a distance.
| source = – Soderbergh (in 2008) on his transition from ''[[Sex, Lies, and Videotape]]'' to more stylized, heist and [[psychological thriller]]s<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/stephen-soderbergh-che|title=Steven Soderbergh – Interview Magazine|last=Sigerson|first=Davitt|date=November 22, 2008|work=Interview Magazine|access-date=April 9, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104428/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/stephen-soderbergh-che|url-status=live}}</ref>
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}} Soderbergh directed ''[[Ocean's Twelve]]'', a sequel to ''Ocean's Eleven'', in 2004. The second installment received muted critical reviews, and was another commercially successful film, grossing $362.7&nbsp;million on a $110&nbsp;million budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oceanstwelve.htm|title=Ocean's Twelve (2004) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=August 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817115858/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oceanstwelve.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Matt Singer of ''[[IndieWire]]'' called it a "Great Sequel About How Hard It Is to Make a Great Sequel."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/02/oceans-twelve-is-a-great-sequel-about-how-hard-it-is-to-make-a-great-sequel-128461/|title='Ocean's Twelve' Is a Great Sequel About How Hard It Is to Make a Great Sequel|last=Singer|first=Matt|date=February 5, 2013|work=IndieWire|access-date=April 14, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104409/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/02/oceans-twelve-is-a-great-sequel-about-how-hard-it-is-to-make-a-great-sequel-128461/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite news|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-heist-movies-of-all-time/|title=75 Best Heist Movies of All Time|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 14, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222153527/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-heist-movies-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2004, Soderbergh produced and co-wrote the adapted screenplay for the film ''[[Criminal (2004 film)|Criminal]]''—a remake of the Argentine film ''[[Nine Queens]]''—with his longtime assistant director [[Gregory Jacobs]], who made his directorial debut with the film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chocano |first=Carina |title='Criminal' pulls off a fresh caper drama |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-sep-10-et-criminal10-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 13, 2018 |date=September 10, 2004 |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104419/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-sep-10-et-criminal10-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

A year later, Soderbergh directed ''[[Bubble (2005 film)|Bubble]]'' (2005), a $1.6&nbsp;million film featuring a cast of nonprofessional actors. It opened in selected theaters and [[HDNet]] simultaneously, and four days later on [[DVD]]. Industry heads were reportedly watching how the film performed, as its unusual release schedule could have implications for future feature films.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/fa/2006/01/20060124_fa_02.mp3?dl=1|title=Will Soderbergh's 'Bubble' Burst on Hollywood?|date=January 24, 2006|access-date=April 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/risky_business_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002198452|title=Distributors hold firm against day-and-date|author=Anne Thompson|date=March 17, 2006|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Theater-owners, who at the time had been suffering from dropping attendance rates, did not welcome so-called "[[Simultaneous release|day-and-date]]" movies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002197235|title=Challenges Seen for Film Biz After 2005 Slide|last=Thompson|first=Anne|date=March 15, 2006|work=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]|access-date=April 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422210551/http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002197235|archive-date=April 22, 2006|author-link=Anne Thompson (film critic)}}</ref> [[National Association of Theatre Owners]] chief executive John Fithian indirectly called the film's release model "the biggest threat to the viability of the [[Film industry|cinema industry]] today."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-01-18-bubble-theater-threat_x.htm|title='Bubble' hits theaters, TV, DVD on same day|author=Gary Gentile|date=January 18, 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104417/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-01-18-bubble-theater-threat_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Soderbergh's response to such criticism: "I don't think it's going to destroy the movie-going experience any more than the ability to get takeout has destroyed the restaurant business."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B46OAwAAQBAJ&q=don%27t+think+it%27s+going+to+destroy+the+movie-going+experience+any+more+than+the+ability+to+get+takeout+has+destroyed+the+restaurant+business&pg=PA187|title=Film Firsts: The 25 Movies That Created Contemporary American Cinema|last=Alter|first=Ethan|date=May 17, 2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781440801884|access-date=October 20, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104412/https://books.google.com/books?id=B46OAwAAQBAJ&q=don%27t+think+it%27s+going+to+destroy+the+movie-going+experience+any+more+than+the+ability+to+get+takeout+has+destroyed+the+restaurant+business&pg=PA187|url-status=live}}</ref> A romantic drama set in post-war Berlin, ''[[The Good German]]'', starring [[Cate Blanchett]] and Clooney, was released in late 2006. The film performed poorly commercially grossing $5.9&nbsp;million worldwide against a budget of $32&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodgerman.htm|title=The Good German (2006) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104417/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3780412929/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Soderbergh next directed ''[[Ocean's Thirteen]]'', which was released in June 2007 to further commercial success and increased critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/oceans-thirteen-2007 |title=Danny Ocean all at sea |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |website=RogerEbert.com |access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104420/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/oceans-thirteen-2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Grossing $311.3&nbsp;million on an $85&nbsp;million budget, it is the second highest-grossing film of his career after the first ''Ocean's''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oceans13.htm |title=Ocean's Thirteen (2007) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 15, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104428/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl442926593/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film concluded what would later be known as the [[Ocean's (film series)|''Ocean's'' trilogy]], a collection of heist movies that would go on to be described as defining a new era of heist films.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-oceans-eleven-movies-w449145|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About the 'Ocean's Eleven' Movies|last=Murray|first=Noel|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104432/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-oceans-eleven-movies-123424/|url-status=live}}</ref> Soderbergh directed ''[[Che (2008 film)|Che]]'', which was released in theaters in two parts, titled ''The Argentine'' and ''Guerrilla'', and was presented in the main competition of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, on May 22. [[Benicio del Toro]] played the Argentine guerrilla [[Che Guevara|Ernesto "Che" Guevara]] in an epic four-hour double bill which looks first at his role in the [[Cuban Revolution]] before moving to his campaign and eventual death in Bolivia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/dossierPresse/id/10803637.html|title=Che|work=Festival de Cannes|date=May 21, 2023}}</ref> Soderbergh shot his feature film ''[[The Girlfriend Experience]]'' in New York in 2008. Soderbergh cast adult film star [[Sasha Grey]] as the film's lead actress to great reception and controversy.<ref>Original news release: David Sullivan, [http://www.avn.com/performer/articles/32834.html "Sasha Grey Stars in Steven Soderbergh Feature"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104422/https://avn.com/business/articles/video/adam-eve-offers-apple-to-women-32834.html |date=March 20, 2021}}, in: ''Adult Video News'', AVN Media Network (online), October 14, 2008</ref><ref>David Sullivan, [http://www.avn.com/performer/articles/32868.html "Video: Soderbergh Directs Sasha Grey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104423/https://avn.com/business/articles/video/microsoft-ignores-own-advice-pays-32868.html |date=March 20, 2021}}, in: ''Adult Video News'', AVN Media Network (online), October 15, 2008</ref>