In an industry rife with sensational headlines, George Clooney sets the record straight about his and Brad Pitt's purported $35 million paychecks for their latest film, 'Wolfs'.
- September 1, 2024
AceShowbiz - George Clooney and Brad Pitt have refuted recent claims regarding their astronomical salaries for their new movie, "Wolfs". Clooney addressed the speculation during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, where the film premiered on September 1.
Contrary to a New York Times report stating that Clooney and Pitt each earned over $35 million, Clooney clarified, "[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."
Clooney revealed he and Pitt actually gave portions of their salaries back after a deal to get the film a wide release fell through.
The duo's appearance at the festival was filled with their characteristic banter, but Clooney took a serious tone when discussing the wider implications of such salary exaggerations. "I think that's terrible, it'll make it impossible to make films," he added.
The buzz around the salaries wasn't the only focal point of the discussion. The decision to give "Wolfs" a limited theatrical release before streaming on Apple TV+ also raised eyebrows. Initially, there were hopes for a wide theatrical release, but plans shifted, resulting in the film showing only in a limited number of theaters for one week.
"Yes, we wanted it to be released [in theaters]," Clooney said. "There are elements of this that we are figuring out. You guys are all in this too. We're all in this industry and we're trying to find our way post-COVID and everything else, and so there's some bumps along the way."
Clooney acknowledged the disappointment but also emphasized the silver lining. "A lot of people are going to see the film and we are getting a release in a few hundred theaters, so we're getting a release. But yeah, it would've been nice if we had a wide release."
Set to be available on Apple TV+ on September 27, "Wolfs" follows Clooney and Pitt as lone fixers assigned to the same job, reigniting the chemistry they famously displayed in the Ocean's trilogy. The film also involves Amy Ryan, Poorna Jagannathan, and Austin Abrams, with both Clooney and Pitt serving as producers.
Pitt told GQ, "I know he's got my back. I got his back," reflecting the longstanding friendship between the co-stars. Their camaraderie, combined with Hollywood's fluctuating landscape, adds an extra layer of intrigue to "Wolfs".
