Brad Pitt and George Clooney were quintessential movie stars who got their break in the 90s. The two showed a lot of promise with their early works and slowly worked their way into becoming huge A-list actors. They collaborated on the highly successful Ocean‘s trilogy where people got to see their dynamic chemistry on screen.
The duo are set to reunite for the upcoming Apple TV+ action comedy Wolfs. The two had made a deal with Apple to have a large theatrical window for the film when they originally signed on for it. However, Apple pivoted from that and is now planning a limited theatrical release, while also putting it on the streamer far sooner than planned. Fans are now questioning the company’s confusing release strategy.
Apple’s Weird Release Pivot For Brad Pitt’s Wolfs Sets A Bad Precedent For The Film Industry
When it was announced that Brad Pitt and George Clooney would be reuniting for Jon Watts’ Wolfs under Apple, fans were excited about the potential it had. The two actors also saw the intriguing material of the film and felt that it should be a theatrical release. The film was planned to have a conventional worldwide theatrical release on September 20, 2024.
The two stars reportedly received a hefty paycheck of more than $35 million each for the film (The New York Times) and the trailer promised an exciting action comedy that is driven by their incredible banter. However, Apple suddenly pivoted from giving the film a wide release earlier this month. The film will now have a limited release on the aforementioned date and will hit Apple TV+ a week later.
On X, fans pointed out the horrible release strategy of the film and how it has been robbed of a potential box office hit that could have brought enormous profit to the studio. Here are some of the reactions,
This is why this movie won't be profitable
— Pyo 5️⃣ (@mrpyo1) August 26, 2024
There is no way this makes financial sense
— KJPlays (@KeiranPawlak) August 26, 2024
For an Apple TV film? Yea that’s not a good deal
— 優木 せつ菜 🇯🇵 | Makeine SZN (@Nljigakulive) August 26, 2024
This might be a great film, but this is likely to flop in the box office
— The Treach & Romeo News Podcast (@thetrnpodcast) August 26, 2024
I swear streaming services are just 1 big money laundering scheme
— 𝕏 Meme Team (@XMemeTeam) August 26, 2024
Considering the huge paycheck for the stars and the film pivoting from a theatrical release, Apple’s new strategy is confusing and will only bring diminishing returns as pointed out by fans. However, after back-to-back failures like Napoleon, Argylle, and Fly Me to the Moon, Apple may have had enough with wide theatrical release for its films and may be sticking to its new plan, which is sad to see.
Wolfs Is A Two-Hander Specifically Written For Brad Pitt And George Clooney
After delivering three superhit Spider-Man films in the MCU, Jon Watts is back with a relatively grounded crime comedy film Wolfs starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney. The film chronicles two fixers who are hired to do the same job. Watts had the two actors in mind when he wrote the film as he told Empire Magazine.
The director further stated that he wanted to explore the unlikely dynamic between the characters and eventually discover the relationship they ultimately form as the film progresses. Watts compared the two characters to Clooney‘s fixer’s character from Michael Clayton. Watts said,
I just wanted to know what it would be like if two of those guys met. Would they kill each other? Or would they become best friends? [They’ve] both played that guy. It’s like two Michael Claytons.
Despite the limited theatrical release of the film, Apple and Watts seemed to be very pleased with the film, and a sequel was officially announced (via Apple.com) to be in development recently.
Wolfs is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024, after a one-week limited release in theaters.
