Wolfs (film)
Wolfs | |
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Apple TV+ release poster | |
Directed by | Jon Watts |
Written by | Jon Watts |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Larkin Seiple |
Edited by | Andrew Weisblum |
Music by | Theodore Shapiro |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | |
Release dates | |
Running time | 108 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Wolfs is a 2024 American action comedy film written and directed by Jon Watts. It reunites actors George Clooney and Brad Pitt, who star as professional fixers forced to work together on a job despite their preference to operate as lone wolves. The film also stars Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, and Poorna Jagannathan. It premiered out of competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, on September 1, 2024, and is scheduled to receive a limited theatrical release in the United States by Columbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing) on September 20, before streaming on Apple TV+ on September 27.
Premise
[edit]Two professional fixers who prefer to work alone find themselves forced to work together after being hired for the same job.[2][3]
Cast
[edit]- George Clooney as Jack
- Brad Pitt as Nick
- Amy Ryan as Margaret
- Austin Abrams as Kid
- Poorna Jagannathan as June
- Zlatko Burić as Dimitri
- Richard Kind as Kid's dad
- Frances McDormand as the voice of Pamela Dowd-Henry[4]
Production
[edit]In September 2021, a studio bidding war began for a film package that included Jon Watts as writer and director, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt on board to star and produce via their respective production labels, Smokehouse Pictures and Plan B Entertainment.[5] Wolfs reunites the two actors, who previously worked on the Ocean's trilogy (2001–2007) and appeared in one scene together in Burn After Reading (2008).[2][6] Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the film after winning the bidding war against Amazon MGM Studios, Annapurna Pictures, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Netflix, Sony Pictures (which would later take over theatrical distribution rights), Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures.[7] Additional cast members were revealed in 2023.[8][9][10] Principal photography reportedly began in January 2023 in New York City, including the neighborhoods of Harlem and Chinatown.[11][12] Larkin Seiple, who previously shot Watts' Cop Car (2015), was the cinematographer of the approximately 70-day shoot.[13]
In August 2024, The New York Times reported that Apple paid Clooney and Pitt more than $35 million to star and Watts more than $15 million to direct the film.[14] Clooney denied this claim, stating, "It is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported. And I am only saying that because I think it's bad for our industry if that's what people think is the standard bearer for salaries."[15]
Release
[edit]Wolfs is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 20, 2024, before debuting on Apple TV+ on September 27.[16] It was originally set for a wide release since Apple acquired it in 2021, Clooney and Pitt having "made the deal to do that movie where we gave money back to make sure that we had a theatrical release."[17] In December 2023, Apple entered another agreement with Sony Pictures Releasing, following their partnership on Napoleon, to distribute the film in cinemas, scheduling it for release in the United States on September 20, 2024.[18][19]
In August 2024, six weeks before its release, Apple announced its decision to pivot from a wide release to a limited release on the same date.[16][14] The New York Times noted that Sony, who had agreed to distribute the film and split the marketing costs with Apple, was set to begin a national marketing campaign during the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Zack Van Amburg, who oversees Apple's entertainment programming, canceled those plans, as Apple executives hoped "to not risk a public disappointment should the movie not succeed at the box office".[14] Clooney said he and Pitt put some of their salary into keeping the limited release.[20]
The film premiered out of competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024. Watts skipped the event due to contracting COVID.[21]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 73% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.0/10.[22] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[23]
Future
[edit]A month prior to its release, Apple confirmed a sequel was in the works, with Watts, Clooney, and Pitt returning.[16] Of the announcement, Watts said, "Apple's been talking to me about a sequel since I turned in my cut in December [2023]. That's always been an ongoing discussion. I absolutely did not write the movie with a sequel in mind. But it was very fun to make, so I don't know, I think you let the audience decide if they want to see more."[6]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Distributed through the Columbia Pictures banner.
References
[edit]- ^ Thompson, Jaden (May 29, 2024). "Wolfs Trailer: Brad Pitt and George Clooney Reunite After 16 Years for an Action Comedy About a Botched Killing". Variety. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Morrow, Brendan (May 29, 2024). "Wolfs trailer: George Clooney, Brad Pitt reunite for first film together in 16 years". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (May 28, 2024). "George Clooney and Brad Pitt Reunite as Hired Killers in Wolfs Trailer". Collider. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Wise, Damon (September 1, 2024). "Wolfs Review: Brad Pitt And George Clooney Face Off As Aging Fixers In Jon Watts' Verbose Action Comedy – Venice Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (September 24, 2021). "George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jon Watts Movie Package Sends Studios, Streamers Into Bidding War (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Canfield, David (August 21, 2024). "Brad Pitt and George Clooney Wanted Their New Movie in Theaters. Apple Had Other Plans". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 29, 2021). "Apple Studios Lands Coveted Jon Watts-Directed Thriller To Star George Clooney & Brad Pitt". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 26, 2023). "Amy Ryan Joins George Clooney And Brad Pitt In New Apple Thriller From Jon Watts". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 1, 2023). "Austin Abrams Joins Brad Pitt And George Clooney In Apple Thriller From Jon Watts". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 16, 2023). "Never Have I Ever Star Poorna Jagannathan Joins Brad Pitt & George Clooney In Jon Watts Apple Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "Wolves Production List". Film & Television Industry Alliance. October 31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Lazarus Caplan, Anna (January 27, 2023). "Brad Pitt and George Clooney Have N.Y.C. Night Filming Apple Thriller Wolves — See the Pics!". People. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Mulcahey, Matt (June 8, 2023). "'TV Shows are Like Better Funded Independent Films': DP Larkin Seiple on Beef". Filmmaker. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c Sperling, Nicole (August 25, 2024). "Apple Rethinks Its Movie Strategy After a String of Misses". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ Ford, Lily (September 1, 2024). "George Clooney Denies $35M Wolfs Salaries for Him, Brad Pitt: 'It's Bad If That's What People Think'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c Fleming Jr., Mike (August 7, 2024). "Apple Original Films Sets Sequel To George Clooney-Brad Pitt Drama Wolfs By Jon Watts As Film Pivots To Limited Theatrical Release Before Apple TV+ Streaming Bow". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 29, 2023). "George Clooney Q&A: The Boys In The Boat, Matthew Perry Memories, The $150M SAG-AFTRA Offer & Wolfs Sequel With Brad Pitt & Jon Watts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2023). "Sony Wins Global Theatrical Distribution Deal For Apple's George Clooney & Brad Pitt Pic Wolfs & Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum's Project Artemis". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 21, 2023). "Sony Dates Apple's Wolfs & Project Artemis For 2024". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Shafer, Ellise; Ritman, Alex; Keslassy, Elsa (September 1, 2024). "George Clooney Says Biden Is 'Most Selfless' President Since George Washington for Dropping Out of Presidential Race Against Trump: 'All the Credit Goes to Him'". Variety. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Brzeski, Patrick; Ford, Lily (September 1, 2024). "Wolfs Director Jon Watts to Miss Venice World Premiere After Catching COVID". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Wolfs". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ "Wolfs". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 2024 films
- 2024 action comedy films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s English-language films
- American action comedy films
- Apple TV+ original films
- Columbia Pictures films
- Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
- Films directed by Jon Watts
- Films produced by Brad Pitt
- Films produced by Dede Gardner
- Films produced by George Clooney
- Films produced by Grant Heslov
- Films produced by Jeremy Kleiner
- Films scored by Theodore Shapiro
- Films shot in New York City
- Plan B Entertainment films
- Smokehouse Pictures films