George Clooney Reflects on Apple’s Limited Theatrical Release for “Wolfs,” Hints at Industry Shift

George Clooney recently expressed his desire for a broader theatrical release of the Apple original film Wolfs, where he stars alongside Brad Pitt in a comic thriller. The film made its debut at the Venice Film Festival 2024. Initially slated for a wide release on September 20, Apple altered its plans, opting instead for a limited one-week run in theaters before premiering on Apple TV+ on September 27. Ahead of its premiere, a sequel had already been confirmed, with Jon Watts returning as writer, director, and producer.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Clooney shared his thoughts, saying, “Obviously, we wanted a wider release, but we’re happy that Wolfs is getting a theatrical run, even if it’s just for a week.”

He acknowledged the ongoing changes in the film industry, remarking, “It’s a revolutionary time, and we’re still figuring things out. But we’ll get through it.”

Clooney’s co-star, Richard Kind, also weighed in, voicing his belief that Wolfs is a film meant to be experienced on the big screen. “I think this is a communal movie,” Kind said. “Movies should be seen in theaters. Watching these larger-than-life characters on a phone or even a big TV doesn’t do them justice.”

Clooney echoed this sentiment during the Wolfs press conference at Venice, emphasizing the importance of both streaming platforms and traditional distribution channels in the evolving Hollywood landscape. “Streaming is part of what we do now, but there’s still value in releasing films theatrically. That’s why Brad [Pitt] and I pushed hard for this,” he said. He noted that while platforms like Apple and Amazon are critical players in the industry, they still need distributors like Sony and Warner Bros., who have perfected the theatrical release process over decades.

Reflecting on Wolfs’ limited theater run, Clooney admitted, “Of course, it’s a bit of a disappointment. But at the same time, a lot of people will still see the film, and we’re getting it into a few hundred theaters. It would’ve been nicer to have more, but we’re working with what we’ve got.”