Jon Watts cancels Wolfs sequel after trust issues with Apple TV

Jon Watts canceled Wolfs sequel, citing Apple's surprise decision to shift from wide theatrical release to streaming.

Jon Watts has revealed he scrapped plans for a sequel to Wolfs, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, citing a loss of trust in Apple. The director explained that the studio’s last-minute decision to shift the original film from a wide theatrical release to a limited run followed by streaming led to his decision.

Watts shared with Deadline that Apple initially praised his final cut of Wolfs and even commissioned a sequel. However, he was blindsided by the pivot to streaming, learning of the change less than a week before the public announcement. “Apple didn’t cancel the sequel—I did—because I no longer trusted them as a creative partner,” Watts stated. Despite his disappointment, he returned the sequel commission to avoid generating negative press during the film’s release.

Watts also expressed frustration with Apple for ignoring his request to exclude the sequel announcement from their press release. “They used it to create a positive spin on their streaming decision,” he said, emphasizing that the move came without explanation or discussion. While proud of Wolfs, Watts felt compelled to take a stand for creative transparency.

His experience echoes a growing trend in the industry, exemplified by Doug Liman’s Road House debacle after Amazon acquired MGM. Liman, who had anticipated a theatrical release, saw the project shifted to streaming, which directly affected compensation for him and his team. “We need streaming, but agreements must be honored,” Liman said in an interview.

While Watts supports streaming as a medium, his experience highlights tensions between creative expectations and shifting studio priorities. Apple has yet to comment on the matter, but Watts’ principled decision underscores the importance of trust in creative partnerships.