As a cinephile with over four decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that the latest news about Apple’s movie strategy has left me both intrigued and amused. On one hand, it’s fascinating to see a tech giant like Apple diving headfirst into Hollywood, luring A-list talent like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Martin Scorsese with their deep pockets. On the other, their box office track record thus far has been reminiscent of a rookie director trying to find their footing in Tinseltown.
In the upcoming movie “Wolfs,” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, a sequel has already been approved by Apple even before its initial release. The original film’s theatrical launch is being scaled back. “Wolfs” features Clooney and Pitt reteaming after their work together in the Ocean trilogy. They play two professionals who are compelled to collaborate despite preferring to work independently, as they were both hired for the same task. Jon Watts, famous for directing the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy, is at the helm of this film.
Although “Wolfs” hasn’t premiered in cinemas yet, it appears that Apple has already given the go-ahead for the sequel, as reported by Deadline. Brad Watts is expected to return to helm the sequel, write its script, and produce it, with Pitt and Clooney anticipated to resume their roles. Furthermore, Apple has adjusted the release strategy for “Wolfs.” Initially set for a broad cinema launch on September 20, 2024, the plan now involves a limited cinema debut followed by the film’s premiere on AppleTV+ a week later on September 27, 2024.
Apple Has Had a Tough Year at the Box Office
Apple has ventured into the world of theatrical films, attracting prominent filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and Ridley Scott for ‘Napoleon’, as well as high-profile actors featured in ‘Argylle’, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, and ‘Wolfs’. However, the financial performance of Apple’s films has been underwhelming, particularly given their substantial budgets. For instance, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ had a budget of $200 million but earned only $68 million domestically and $157 million globally. Despite its nine Oscar nominations, it failed to secure any wins during the ceremony.
As a movie enthusiast and critic, I’ve got to say that the recent big-budget films like “Napoleon,” “Argylle,” and “Fly Me to the Moon” have been falling short of expectations in terms of box office success. For instance, despite Napoleon’s budget ranging from $130 million to $200 million, it only managed a domestic total of $61 million, which was quite underwhelming. The film’s worldwide total of $221 million wasn’t enough to offset the costs, especially considering the substantial portion of profits that Apple would have shared with foreign markets.
Without a doubt, Apple primarily operates as a tech firm, which allows it to generate income from sources other than its films. As such, it’s not surprising that it could handle setbacks like these. However, after four underperforming movies at the box office and reducing their television projects, it’s no surprise that they have decided to release “Wolfs” in a limited capacity before moving it directly to streaming.
In many instances, Apple finds success with movies that initially flopped in theaters but garner popularity on their streaming service. Research indicates that films with modest theatrical releases are considered more attractive to streamers compared to those exclusively launched on the platform. With stars like George Clooney and Brad Pitt no longer reliably drawing big crowds, Apple can leverage high-profile productions such as “Wolves” for prestige, while also potentially cultivating a long-term franchise.
The movie titled “Wolfs” will have a restricted theater premiere on September 20, 2024, followed by its debut on AppleTV+ on September 27, 2024.
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2024-08-08 14:31