Change of program for Wolfs with Brad Pitt and George Clooney

Seventeen years later Ocean's ThirteenBrad Pitt and George Clooney face each other again. The two actors had not worked together since the iconic heist saga, which was a success in cinemas around the world. Apple Studio wants to prove that it has the makings of a company that matters to the cultural industry, that it can hatch ambitious productions in partnership with giants of the sector. 700 million dollars were invested to produce three major films, with three directors who need no introduction.

While some companies are still reluctant to rely exclusively on movie theaters, Apple Studio is launching itself without a safety net to conquer the box office. Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon And Argyll had to be business cards for apple subsidiary and proof that its streaming catalog is worth a look. Despite some critical acclaim, at least for the first film, the operation was not profitable. Scorsese's latest film only brought in $156 million worldwide, for an investment of $156. Same story for Napoleon (220 million) and Argyll (92 million) which did not allow the Apple brand to cover its costs. Faced with such a disappointment, Apple TV+ had to face the facts and resign oneself to taking less risk.

Wolfs deprived of cinema

With two heavyweights like Clooney and Pitt, success would have been assured until recently. But the pandemic has disrupted the global box office, confining action films to the lower rungs of the global podium. Recent failures include The Fall Guy And Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga whose substantial budgets have not allowed the studios to achieve a form of balance. Wolfs will thus invest in a few screens on American soil, but will be content with the shelves of Apple TV+ in France and other territories. Questioned about this change of program, the two actors did not hide their disappointment.

Facing ReutersGeorge Clooney confides: “It's a shame”. He adds, however, that such businesses are essential to filmmaking, particularly in a context where studios are being tested by a strike by actors and writers that has delayed projects and pushed up budgets. Entertainment bigwigs have become more cautious and audiences more unforgiving. “Streaming, we need it, our industry needs it.”

A feeling shared by Brad Pitt who adds: “We’ll always be romantic about the theatrical experience. At the same time, I love that streaming platforms exist because we can see more stories, we can see more talent, it gets more eyeballs. It’s a delicate balance right now, but it’s going to work itself out.”It remains to be seen whether Apple Studio will try its luck at the box office again or whether its films will now, like those of Netflix, be condemned to exploitation on the small screen.

Wolfs lands on September 27 on Apple TV+. Directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home), the film follows two cleaning professionals who find themselves on the same crime scene. The two lone wolves are forced to team up and embark on a hellish night where nothing goes as planned. Austin Abrams, Amy Ryan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind and Zlatko Buric are among the actors who play opposite Clooney and Pitt.

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