George Clooney and Brad Pitt are set to make a notable appearance at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2024, for the world premiere of their latest collaboration, "Wolfs". This crime-thriller, directed by Jon Watts, features the two Hollywood luminaries as lone wolf fixers inadvertently hired for the same job to conceal a crime.
The Venice Film Festival, established in 1932, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest film festival. It serves as a fitting backdrop for the reunion of these two acclaimed actors, who have collectively earned four Academy Awards between them.
"Wolfs" is scheduled for a limited theatrical release beginning September 20, 2024, followed by its streaming debut on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024. This release strategy reflects the evolving landscape of film distribution, balancing traditional theatrical runs with the growing influence of streaming platforms.
Director Jon Watts, known for his work on the Spider-Man trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, expressed his enthusiasm for returning to street-level filmmaking. He stated, "I wanted to put as many of my favorite things all in one place. New York. All-one-night. Impenetrably complex crime plots. David Mamet. Buster Keaton. Snow."
The acquisition of "Wolfs" by Apple TV+ in 2021 was the result of a competitive bidding war, highlighting the streaming service's growing prominence in the industry since its launch in 2019.
Interestingly, this marks only the second time Clooney and Pitt have graced the Venice Film Festival red carpet together. Their previous joint appearance was in 2008 for the premiere of "Burn After Reading", a Coen brothers comedy.
The Venice Film Festival, held on the picturesque 11-kilometer-long Lido sandbar, has previously hosted individual premieres for both actors. Clooney's "Gravity" and "Good Night and Good Luck", along with Pitt's "Ad Astra" and "The Assassination of Jesse James" have all debuted at this prestigious event.
Pitt's appearance at the festival comes shortly after his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, received acclaim for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria". This timing inadvertently highlights the ongoing legal proceedings between the former couple, whose divorce, filed in 2016, remains unresolved due to custody and financial disputes.
As "Wolfs" prepares to captivate audiences, it promises to showcase the enduring star power of Clooney and Pitt, while also marking Jon Watts' return to more grounded storytelling after his successful foray into superhero blockbusters.