Director Jon Watts has reacted to the upcoming action comedy by Brad Pitt and George Clooney Wolves The planned theatrical release was canceled by Apple. In the upcoming film, the pair play two fixers who are forced to work together on the same job, only to discover that it is a much bigger case than they previously thought. Although a theatrical release was originally planned, Apple declined. Wolves‘ theatrical release in favor of a debut on Apple TV+. While the film will be in select theaters on September 20, it will be available to stream on September 27.

Talk to Vanity Fair, Watts reacted to Apple’s decision for Wolves to go directly to streamingalthough Pitt and Clooney’s film was originally planned to be released in theaters. The director explained that despite the change, the film was still designed to be a cinematic experience and encouraged viewers to see it on the big screen if they are able to. Read what Watts had to say below:

When we originally made the deal and I pitched it to everyone, it was before the last Spider-Man came out. At that point, the whole existential future of moviegoing was still uncertain. From that point on, the moviegoing experience left a lasting impression on me of how valuable and important this thing is. I always thought of this as a movie. We made it for the cinema, and I think that’s the best way to see it. It’s funny. It’s full of twists and turns. I tried to do some interesting things visually, and I still think it’s best seen in the cinema.

You want the movie to be seen, and if you maximize the ways that people can actually see it, I think that’s good. I saw so many movies that really influenced me on VHS because I grew up in a small town in Colorado, so those movies just weren’t in the theater where we lived. But to me, the moviegoing experience is still the most important thing. It’s up to the people who can make the decision to put it in the theater for people to see, and just have the confidence that people will see it. People want to go to the theater. People love movies.

Why the limited theatrical release of “Wolfs” is disappointing

The film might have been successful with a wider release

At the beginning of August it was announced that Apple had decided at the last minute Wolves‘ planned theatrical release, but opted for a limited release instead, despite previously promising a full theatrical debut. This means that the film will only be shown in selected cinemas for one week.apart from its September 1 screening at the Venice Film Festival. Although the film reunites Pitt and Clooney more than two decades after the film’s success, ocean Apple seems to believe the film will be better received at home than on the big screen.

Although it is disappointing that the film did not receive wider distribution, especially given Watts’ vision during filming,This is not surprising given the lack of success of Apple’s theatrical releases last year. Since October 2023, Apple has released four feature films, none of which have made money at the box office. These include Killer of the Flower Moon, NapoleonAnd Argyllas well as the current cinema release of Fly with me to the moonwhich grossed $40.6 million, compared to $100 million after a month in theaters.

Despite these box office flops Wolves would have had a higher chance of success due to the familiar pairing of Pitt and Clooney and the appeal of Watts’ previous work on the MCUs Spider Man Movies. However, since the film was designed to be a theatrical experience, it can prove to be an entertaining experience at home, regardless of the circumstances of the new release. While it’s unfortunate that the film won’t be released in theaters, Apple probably doesn’t want to risk another box office flop, even if this film has a special appeal due to its lead actors.

Source: Vanity Fair

Wolves

Wolfs is an action thriller film written and directed by Jon Watts that sees Brad Pitt and George Clooney reunite on screen after nearly fifteen years. The film centers on two agents who come together when they are both hired for the same job.

director

Jon Watts

Release date

20 September 2024

Studio(s)

Apple Studios, Plan B Entertainment, Smokehouse Pictures

Sales Partner

Sony Pictures released, Apple TV+

Authors

Jon Watts

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