The film was originally to star Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, two people mentioned earlier in the episode whom the filmmakers would want to reunite; they dropped out, possibly toward La La Land.
Doing this and La La Land back to back would have made them a Tracy-Hepburn pairing, prompting a tangent on audiences recognizing pre-1970 references.
Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart then became the leads; it would have been a good Affleck movie, though one participant does not like the combination.
Stewart is praised as a subtle sexual actor, citing an extremely erotic film with Julieta Benoche, versus Robbie's externalized style; Smith and Stewart are predicted best actor and actress winners this year.
An Affleck-Robbie pairing is joked to have continued off set; Affleck instead made Runner Runner with Justin Timberlake, called poorly directed.
Per the internet research, Affleck dropped out over scheduling, Will Smith signed, then Stewart dropped out; whether she left over scheduling is unknown, assumed busy.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:12:20Read transcript

Pay Russell Crowe a million to play the crazy Australia car guy McEwen for two scenes, heavier and bearded, around his Noah period.
The confusing dad part might be less confusing with Ving Rames, another Soderbergh connection; one participant expected the dad to turn out to be Rames, though it would make even less sense.
Ving Rames's six-year 90s run is on the short list of forgotten iconic runs.

Apollo Robbins as sleight-of-hand consultant; first major movie cut on Final Cut Pro; the Toledo Twist

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:32Read transcript

Little could be found beyond the film using Apollo Robbins as consultant for the sleight of hand.
It was the first major movie edited on Apple's Final Cut Pro on Mac Pro, explained as editing software.
The staged shooting of a teammate to prove it isn't a scam is called the Toledo Twist in the movie; the line 'Was that a Toledo twist?' is a favorite.
The trick was reportedly once used by the Nazis, appears in North by Northwest when Eve Kendall shoots Roger Thornhill, and in a 1986 McGiver episode.

Margot Robbie too memorable for an under-the-radar thief; 30-person New Orleans crew; incomprehensible race-car con

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:02Read transcript

Margot Robbie may be too attractive and memorable to be an under-the-radar thief.
The counterpoint is that she's a petty con artist and her beauty creates the distraction for taking the watch; Miami Vice's recognizable undercover cops are compared.
The New Orleans crew is about 30 people at a party with no undercover agent among them, splitting $1.2 million.
The auto-racing con Smith pulls remains confusing even after multiple viewings; an attempted explanation trails off into 'I don't get it'.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:23:59Read transcript

The only question offered is Focus 2, a sequel: Robbie bigger, Smith older and trying to get out of the game for one last job.
The leads would be divorced with a kid who is in on the heist, a preschool heist.