I don't think it needs to be a big heist. You could have shades-of-grey corruption with a dash of Steinbeck (a la "the Pearl").

Would it even be possible to make a big budget movie like this nowadays without dumbing it down for the 12->18 set, i.e a Tomb Raider rather than an Ocean's 11.

What's "big" vs. "not so big" in terms of budget in 2012? I tend to think of movies as having budgets that are similar in range to new software products, generally 10 million to 100 million with some that are successful with less money and others that get over-funded for specific reasons.

Sounds awesome. Best idea for April yet!

Great idea! Heist movie, with a subplot involving terrorists and drug-lords trying to steal the gold as well. The "little guy" wins the gold nd defeats the bad guys:-)