Apple Original Films Announces Sequel to George Clooney-Brad Pitt Drama ‘Wolfs’

Apple Original Films has announced plans for a sequel to the Jon Watts-directed drama "Wolfs," starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. This development comes as the film, which will make its world premiere at the 81st Venice Film Festival, pivots to a limited theatrical release on September 20, followed by a global debut on Apple TV+ on September 27.

The decision to alter the release strategy for "Wolfs" was confirmed by Apple, although it does not indicate a change in their broader hybrid strategy. The company will continue to employ a streaming service release preceded by a wide theatrical release for other films, such as the Formula One drama "F1" starring Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. This approach was also used for recent releases like "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Napoleon."

In "Wolfs," Clooney plays a professional fixer hired to cover up a high-profile crime. When a second fixer, portrayed by Pitt, arrives, the two must navigate an increasingly chaotic situation. The cast also includes Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind, and Zlatko Burić. The film is produced in partnership with Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures and Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment.

Jon Watts, known for his work on the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trilogy, directs and produces "Wolfs." He collaborates with producers Dianne McGunigle, Clooney's Smokehouse partner Grant Heslov, and Pitt's Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner.

Apple's head of features, Matt Dentler, praised the film, stating, "With George and Brad’s remarkable and engaging chemistry under Jon Watts’ extraordinary direction, ‘Wolfs’ blends all the great elements of comedy, action, and drama into a hugely entertaining movie that will leave audiences ready for what’s next."

This strategic move aims to maximize audience reach for the star-driven film. Apple’s recent release, "Fly Me to the Moon," did not perform well theatrically despite its star-studded cast, influencing this decision. The company plans to adapt its release strategies based on marketplace performance, with future films like Steve McQueen's WWII drama "Blitz" also receiving limited theatrical releases.