George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunited at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, September 01, 2024, to unveil their highly anticipated new thriller, Wolfs. This latest cinematic venture sees the Hollywood heavyweights portraying lone fixers who find themselves caught up in the same high-stakes assignment. The movie marks yet another chapter in the storied collaboration between Clooney and Pitt, who have previously captivated audiences with their performances in the Ocean’s trilogy and Burn After Reading.
Speaking to People magazine during the premiere, Clooney revealed his thoughts on working alongside Pitt, his long-time friend and colleague. With characteristic humor, Clooney remarked, “There’s nothing good about it. It’s all a disaster,” before adding with a more serious tone, “It’s fun to work with people you know really well.”
In addition to reminiscing about their enduring friendship, Clooney took the opportunity to address a recent controversial article published by the New York Times. The piece claimed that both he and Pitt received over $35 million each for their roles in Wolfs. Clooney clarified the situation by saying, “[It was] an interesting article and whatever her source was for our salary, it is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported. And I am only saying that because I think it’s bad for our industry if that’s what people think is the standard bearer for salaries…it’ll make it impossible to make films.”
Earlier this year, in February, a source told People that the dynamic duo were ecstatic to work together once again. “Brad and George are forever friends,” the source highlighted. “They like and respect each other no matter how many years in between gigs together. Wolfs was a meaty project and both took a real interest in it.
. They are excited about the film and enjoying the hell out of it as time leads up to the release.”
The Jon Watts-directed film had a triumphant world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it was met with a rapturous 4-minute standing ovation, according to Variety. As Clooney and Pitt entered the theater, they greeted their enthusiastic fans with a lively “Buonasera!” This spirited interaction sparked some eager fans to shout back, hoping to catch the attention of the stars.
When the credits rolled on the thrilling cinematic journey, the camaraderie between Clooney and Pitt was on full display. The pair shared an affectionate hug before dancing along to the tune of Sade’s “Smooth Operator.” Clooney then turned to his wife, Amal, and the couple shared a tender kiss. With the audience’s applause continuing, Clooney and Pitt made their way down the stairs from their balcony seats to personally greet the cheering fans. Both actors were dressed in matching black suits, further emphasizing their united front.
Joining Clooney and Pitt in Wolfs are the talented Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, and Poorna Jagannathan. Buoyed by the film’s positive reception, a sequel is already in development with Watts and the lead stars attached, as Apple announced earlier this month. However, Jon Watts was notably absent from the Venice premiere due to testing positive for COVID-19.
For those eager to witness the much-anticipated film, Wolfs will make its theatrical debut on September 20, followed by availability on Apple TV+ starting September 27. This latest collaboration between Clooney and Pitt not only reignites their on-screen magic but also showcases their ongoing commitment to bringing thrilling stories to life.
As other films continue to unfold at the Venice Film Festival, this year’s edition has proven to be a significant platform for Hollywood’s finest. Among other notable debuts was Brady Corbet’s three-hour post-war epic, The Brutalist, which also drew considerable attention.
With Wolfs garnering such enthusiastic applause and the promise of a sequel already on the horizon, Clooney and Pitt have once again demonstrated their remarkable ability to captivate audiences worldwide. Their enduring friendship, combined with their exceptional talents, guarantees that their latest cinematic endeavor will be not only a box-office success but also a memorable addition to their illustrious careers.
