Venice, Italy — September 1, 2024, marked a spectacular reunion of Hollywood icons George Clooney and Brad Pitt at the Venice Film Festival, as they took to the red carpet for the premiere of their latest thriller, “Wolfs.” The Jon Watts-directed film, where Clooney and Pitt portray lone fixers tasked with the same job, has already garnered significant buzz for its riveting plot and the magnetic chemistry between the two legendary actors.
The two friends, who boast a professional relationship spanning several decades with notable collaborations in the “Ocean’s” trilogy and the dark comedy “Burn After Reading,” were visibly thrilled to launch their latest venture. During an exclusive conversation with People at the premiere, Clooney opened up about what it means to work alongside his longtime friend Pitt.
“There’s nothing good about it. It’s all a disaster,” Clooney quipped, with his signature dry wit. But on a more serious note, he confessed, “It’s fun to work with people you know really well.” Clooney’s comments underscored the camaraderie and friendship that have fueled their numerous successful collaborations.
The air of celebration was, however, slightly marred by a recent New York Times article, which reported that the actors were compensated over $35 million each for their roles in the movie. Addressing these claims, Clooney remarked, “[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.” Clooney stressed the importance of realistic perceptions regarding actor salaries for the wellbeing of the film industry.
Despite the financial controversies, the sentiment surrounding Pitt and Clooney’s collaboration remained overwhelmingly positive. Earlier this year, a source close to the actors revealed to People their enthusiasm about working together again.
. “Brad and George are forever friends,” the source said. “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 are enjoying the hell out of it as time leads up to the release.”
The world premiere at Venice was nothing short of triumphant. Variety reported that the cast of “Wolfs” received a four-minute standing ovation, a testament to the film’s immediate impact on its audience. As Clooney and Pitt made their entrance, they enlivened the theatre with a hearty “Buonasera!” that stirred a responsive cheer from the fans eagerly hoping for an interaction with the stars.
As the credits rolled, an emotional moment ensued when Pitt and Clooney embraced, bringing a sense of closure to the audience’s captivating experience. The celebratory atmosphere was punctuated by Clooney’s affectionate kiss with his wife, Amal, before he and Pitt descended from the balcony to greet their admirers. The two actors were impeccably dressed in black suits, a fitting image of their enduring and stylish on-screen partnership.
Adding to the film’s star-studded appeal, “Wolfs” features performances by Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, and Poorna Jagannathan. The ensemble cast, under Watts’ direction, promises a thrilling cinematic experience, with a sequel already in development, as announced by Apple earlier this month. Regrettably, Jon Watts was unable to attend the Venice premiere after testing positive for COVID-19 but his directorial vision continues to be celebrated with great anticipation.
For fans eagerly awaiting the release, “Wolfs” is set to hit theaters on September 20, followed by its availability for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 27. Whether watched on the big screen or from the comfort of home, the film promises to be a testament to the enduring charisma and talent of Clooney and Pitt.
As the Venice Film Festival continues to be a hub for cinematic excellence, this year’s event, especially highlighted by the debut of “Wolfs,” stands out as a celebration of not just film, but the enduring power of friendship and collaboration in Hollywood. Clooney and Pitt have once again proven that their combined star power is a force to be reckoned with, captivating audiences and critics alike with their latest thrilling endeavor.
