Brad Pitt, George Clooney in the film “Wolfs.” Image credit: Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
A planned sequel to the Apple TV+ original movie “Wolfs” has reportedly been cancelled, marking another unexpected turn for both this film series, and for how it appears Apple is changing its movie ambitions.
“I don’t know what I’m directing next, and I don’t think there’s going to be a ‘Wolfs’ sequel,” writer/director Jon Watts said in an interview with industry publication Deadline.
While never officially announced, the planned and reportedly greenlit “Wolfs 2” film was seen as a way to counter the poor publicity Apple had over its treatment of the original movie. Stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt both took substantial pay cuts in order to make sure this hitman action comedy got a wide theatrical release, which Apple initially planned.
However, shortly before release, Apple cut back its plans and instead gave it a single week in theaters. “Wolfs” would go on to be the most-watched Apple TV+ original film up to that point.
That streaming success could have made Apple reconsider its theatrical plans, especially for a sequel. But Apple is said to have dramatically scaled back its slate following a series of high-cost flops, such as “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
It’s believed that Apple is waiting to see how its next major release, “F1” starring “Wolfs” co-lead Brad Pitt, fares in cinemas in summer 2025. Should that also fail to do well, Apple is expected to step away from high-budget fare and instead produce more films that are each lower cost.
The company may also choose to acquire finished movies instead of either producing itself, or being the sole investor in an independent production. Apple does already acquire films, with one of them being the acclaimed 2022 movie “CODA”, which earned the first-ever Best Picture Oscar for a streamer.
