Apple’s Shift in Theatrical Plans for ‘Wolfs’ Starring Clooney and Pitt

Apple’s Theatrical Plans for “Wolfs” Shift Dramatically

In a notable move that has sparked discussions in the film industry, Apple secured the rights to produce the action-comedy film “Wolfs,” starring Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Brad Pitt, following a competitive bidding war in 2021. A significant factor in Apple’s victory was its commitment to provide a substantial theatrical release for the film. “Brad and I made the deal to do that movie where we gave money back to make sure that we had a theatrical release,” Clooney remarked in a candid interview with Deadline last year.

However, this month, just six weeks prior to its anticipated debut in thousands of theaters across the United States, Apple announced a surprising change in its distribution strategy. “Wolfs” will now be screened in a limited number of theaters for merely one week before it becomes available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 27. Internationally, the film will not be shown in theaters, except for a premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 1.

Matt Dentler, head of features for Apple Original Films, expressed his enthusiasm about the new release strategy, stating, “‘Wolfs’ is the kind of big event movie that makes Apple TV+ such an exceptional home for the best in entertainment. Releasing the movie to theaters before making it widely available to Apple TV+ customers brings the best of both worlds to audiences.”

Despite this optimistic outlook, the film’s director, Jon Watts, revealed to Vanity Fair that he had only learned about the drastic change in plans just days before the official announcement. “The theatrical experience has really made an impression on me, of how valuable this thing is and how important it is,” Watts reflected. “I always thought of this as a theatrical movie. We made it to be seen in theaters, and I think that’s the best way to see it.”

In light of the filmmakers’ strong preference for a full theatrical release, this pivot comes after a lukewarm performance at the box office for Apple’s recent ventures, which began releasing films in theaters through partnerships with traditional studios starting in October. The evolving landscape of film distribution continues to raise questions about the future of theatrical releases in an increasingly digital world.