Director Jon Watts Cancels ‘Wolfs’ Sequel and Returns Apple’s Money
Director Jon Watts is making headlines after deciding to cancel the sequel to his Apple TV+ film “Wolfs,” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney. This move comes after a disagreement over the film’s release strategy, where Watts felt misled by Apple’s decision to limit the theatrical release. This caused a breach of trust, leading Watts to return his writing fee.
In an interview with Deadline, Watts shared that he no longer trusted Apple as a creative partner due to their last-minute change in the movie’s release strategy. Initially planned for a wide theatrical distribution, the film was instead shifted to a limited one-week theatrical run without Watts’ prior knowledge.
Despite the setback, sources close to Apple still consider “Wolfs” a success and are open to continuing the franchise. The movie, featuring Pitt and Clooney as rival fixers, premiered at the Venice Film Festival before its limited theatrical release.
This situation sheds light on the ongoing debates between filmmakers and streaming platforms regarding theatrical releases. It mirrors other conflicts in the industry, like the one between director Doug Liman and Amazon over the release of “Road House.” It highlights the challenges that arise as platforms adjust their strategies for theatrical releases.
While the sequel to “Wolfs” may be canceled, Apple continues to work on its film strategy, with plans for theatrical releases for select projects, including an upcoming Brad Pitt Formula 1 racing film through Warner Bros. This decision showcases the complex dynamics between filmmakers and streaming platforms in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.
