Setback: Jon Watts opens up about cancelation of Wolfs sequel starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt

The action-comedy Wolfs, which brought together George Clooney and Brad Pitt under the direction of Jon Watts, quickly became one of the most talked-about movies of 2024.

After its debut on Apple TV+, the film’s success seemingly set the stage for a sequel. However, the plans for a follow-up have now been scrapped, and Jon Watts is breaking his silence about why the highly anticipated project is no longer moving forward.

Why the Sequel Fell Apart

In an interview with Collider, Watts revealed that he didn’t believe the sequel would happen and hinted that the decision stemmed from Apple’s internal strategies. However, in a candid statement shared with Deadline, the director clarified that the cancelation was largely his own doing, stemming from frustrations with Apple’s decision to change the original movie’s release strategy.

“I showed Apple my final cut of Wolfs early this year,” Watts explained. “They were extremely enthusiastic about it and immediately commissioned me to start writing a sequel. But their last-minute shift from a promised wide theatrical release to a streaming release was a total surprise and made without any explanation or discussion. I wasn’t even told about it until less than a week before they announced it to the world.”

Watts expressed disappointment that the sequel was announced alongside Apple’s decision to move the original film to a streaming-focused release. He said the change undermined his trust in the company and their creative partnership.

The Fallout of Apple’s Release Strategy

Wolfs was initially set for a theatrical release before streaming, but Apple pivoted to a limited theatrical run. The change mirrored their strategy with Fly Me to the Moon, another Apple production that struggled in theaters. Despite this, Wolfsbecame Apple TV+’s most-streamed film, garnering significant critical praise and audience enthusiasm after premiering at the Venice Film Festival.

Watts’ Frustration with Apple

Jon Watts explained why he returned the payment for writing the sequel and decided to speak out about his experience now:

“I didn’t want to talk about it because I was proud of the film and didn’t want to generate any unnecessary negative press,” Watts said. “I loved working with Brad and George (and Amy and Austin and Poorna and Zlatko) and would happily do it again. But the truth is that Apple didn’t cancel the Wolfs sequel, I did, because I no longer trusted them as a creative partner.”

What’s Next for Wolfs and Its Stars?

While the director’s exit casts doubt on the project, Apple is reportedly still open to producing a sequel, given the original movie’s record-breaking performance. Whether Clooney and Pitt would return without Watts remains to be seen.

As of now, Apple has not commented on the cancellation or Watts’ statements. For fans, the future of a potential follow-up hangs in the balance. If a sequel is made, it’s clear that major adjustments will need to happen behind the scenes to avoid similar creative disputes.

This development adds another layer to the legacy of Wolfs, a film that captivated audiences and left them eager for more, even as its future now remains uncertain.