George Clooney Refutes Salary Claims for 'Wolfs' Amid Industry Concerns
George ClooneyGeorge Clooney has publicly refuted claims regarding the substantial salaries he and co-star Brad Pitt allegedly received for their latest movie, "Wolfs." During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Clooney addressed a report by The New York Times, which suggested that the duo was paid over $35 million each for their roles in the action-comedy directed by Jon Watts.
Clooney clarified that their actual earnings were "millions and millions and millions" less than what was reported. The actor expressed concern that such inflated salary figures could negatively impact the film industry by setting unrealistic standards. "I think it’s bad for our industry if that’s what people think is the standard-bearer for salaries," he stated.
Following the collapse of an initial deal for a wide theatrical release, which led to a limited run in a few hundred theaters, Clooney and Pitt opted to return parts of their salaries. "We wanted it to be released [in theaters]. We’ve had some bumps along the way, but that happens," Clooney noted.
Despite the setback, Clooney insisted that their decision to return part of their pay was motivated by their desire for the film to reach audiences, albeit in a limited capacity. "Yes, we wanted it to be released in theaters," he reiterated, expressing both disappointment and optimism about "Wolfs" ultimately reaching viewers through streaming platforms after its brief theatrical stint.
The film, which sees Clooney and Pitt as fixers embroiled in a comedy of errors, has faced critical backlash despite its high-profile cast and record budget for a streaming movie. Critics have labeled it a "one-star messy dud" and a "slick student film" with a significantly high budget but poor execution. "Wolfs" will open in theaters on September 20 and become available for streaming via AppleTV+ on September 27.
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