In The Lincoln Lawyer, Elliott Gould reprises his role as Legal Siegel from the popular Ocean's franchise. Based on Michael Connelly's book series, the show follows criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller, who frequently operates out of his chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. In season 2, Mickey seeks guidance from his mentor David "Legal" Siegel, portrayed by Elliott Gould, as he takes on high-profile murder cases. Gould's portrayal in The Lincoln Lawyer is reminiscent of his iconic character Reuben Tishkoff from the Ocean's films, where he played the rich benefactor who assists in planning and executing heists alongside Danny Ocean.
The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2's Elliott Gould Appearances Call Back To His Ocean's Franchise Role
The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 pays homage to the Ocean's franchise, particularly through the inclusion of Elliott Gould as David "Legal" Siegel. Siegel's character closely parallels Gould's role as Reuben Tishkoff in the Ocean's movies. Both characters share a similar way of speaking and offer guidance to the main character. Siegel's step-by-step instructions on navigating the rules in episode 2 of The Lincoln Lawyer season 2, "Obligations," mirror the heist plots in Ocean's. Later in the series, Mickey and Lorna adopt the same approach when discussing their legal schemes with Siegel.
Furthermore, the cinematography used in episodes featuring Siegel bears resemblance to that of the Ocean's films. The creative team combines action scenes with voiceovers detailing the plans, creating a similar effect. The music in these episodes also contributes to the familiar atmosphere. Additionally, both The Lincoln Lawyer and Ocean's incorporate editing transitions such as wipes, whip pans, and cutaways. By employing this same cinematography style in Siegel's episodes, it becomes evident that The Lincoln Lawyer showrunners intentionally designed Gould's appearance as a nod to his renowned Ocean's role.
Elliott Gould's The Lincoln Lawyer Role Proves He Must Return For Future Ocean's Movies
Despite having limited screen time in each episode, Elliott Gould's portrayal of his character in The Lincoln Lawyer left a lasting impression and solidified his potential return to the Ocean's franchise. Gould's talent for embodying the mastermind of intricate heists is still evident. However, it is unlikely for him to reprise his role as Reuben Tishkoff in the upcoming Ocean's Eleven prequel due to his aged appearance compared to previous films. Nevertheless, there is still a possibility for Gould to make a comeback as Reuben Tishkoff in future installments of the franchise.