Summary
-
Wolfs
director Jon Watts reveals that Apple first floated the idea of
Wolfs 2
when he turned in his first cut of the film in December 2023. - Watts didn’t make the film with a sequel in mind and says that audience response will determine whether a follow-up movie gets made.
-
Wolfs 2
could be a way for Apple to make ammends to Watts, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt after scrapping plans for a theatrical release, which would have been in their contracts.
Wolfs director Jon Watts addresses Wolfs 2 as Apple TV+ eyes another outing for George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Telling the story of lone wolf fixers Nick (Pitt) and Jack (Clooney) as they’re assigned to the same job, Wolfs was originally slated for a wide theatrical release in September. It was announced earlier this month, however, that the film, which also stars Amy Ryan and Austin Abrams, would instead be getting a limited theatrical release before landing on Apple TV+, with Wolfs 2 now also in the works.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Watts comments on this unique Wolfs 2 development, revealing that talks regarding a sequel have actually been ongoing since the end of 2023. As for whether a follow-up film actually happens, the director reveals that it’s up to audiences. Check out Watts’ comment below:
“Apple’s been talking to me about a sequel since I turned in my cut in December. 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.”
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Why Wolfs 2 Was Announced Before The First Movie Even Came Out
Apple’s Decision To Scrap The Theatrical Release Explained
Though not confirmed, it’s now theorized that Wolfs 2 is essentially a peace offering to Watts, Clooney, and Pitt. Wolfs was supposed to be getting a wide theatrical release, as previous Apple films like Ridley Scott’s Napoleon and Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle did, and Watts, Clooney, and Pitt would have signed onto the film knowing this, with deals that account for box office performance. It’s possible, however, that Apple changed its mind about a theatrical release after being underwhelmed by early box office tracking figures for the film.
It’s not clear what the budget for
Wolfs
is, but Clooney and Pitt likely commanded large salaries.
Internal data at Apple has evidently suggested that Wolfs would do better as a streaming film or that it would be a disappointment theatrically. Considering both Napoleon and Argylle were also significant box office disappointments, it makes sense that Apple would want to avoid establishing a pattern of underwhelming theatrical releases. Making this kind of shift, however, obviously has financial consequences for creatives involved, and some have theorized that green-lighting Wolfs 2, probably with big paydays for Clooney, Pitt, and Watts, is Apple’s way of smoothing things over.
Watts’ latest comment, though, affirms that talk of Wolfs 2 has actually been ongoing for well over six months, and it suggests that Apple is happy with the film and sees its potential. With box office performance no longer likely to be much of a factor when looking at the first movie’s performance, viewership on Apple TV+ will now be the key metric that decides whether there’s an appetite for more. It’s likely that more concrete information regarding Wolfs 2 won’t arrive until the end of 2024, or at some point next year.
Source: Vanity Fair