Despite the success of the action comedy Wolfs, which became the most watched film in the history of Apple TV+, there will be no Wolfs 2, at least not at Apple.
In an interview given to Deadlinedirector Jon Watts revealed that he himself decided to cancel the sequel due to a loss of confidence in Apple. Watts criticized the American firm for having, without prior consultation, taken the last-minute decision to reduce the promised cinema release of the film to a limited one-week release, followed by its streaming on Apple TV+.
Apple shocked Jon Watts
Watts also expressed frustration that Apple ignored his request not to mention a sequel in its press release. “I showed Apple the final cut of Wolfs earlier this year,” he told Deadline.
They were extremely enthusiastic and immediately asked me to start writing a sequel. But their last-minute change from a wide theatrical release to a streaming release came as a complete surprise, with no explanation or discussion. I was only informed less than a week before the official announcement.
He added:
I was completely shocked and asked them not to include in their press release the information that I was writing a sequel. They ignored my request and announced it anyway, apparently to make their pivot to streaming look positive. So I discreetly returned the money they had advanced me for the future.
Although he praised the film’s team and said he was proud of the end result, Watts concluded: “The truth is that Apple didn’t cancel the Wolfs sequel – I did.” I did, because I no longer trusted them as a creative partner. »
A disappointment for fans
Apple initially celebrated Wolfs as a huge success, announcing in August that a sequel was in the works. Matt Dentler, Apple’s head of feature films, previously said the company was “thrilled to see fans embrace the film as we begin working with Jon on the sequel.”
Wolfs, starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney as rivals forced to collaborate to cover up a high-profile crime, was released in select theaters on September 20 before being available to stream on Apple TV+ a week later. The film also stars Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Poorna Jagannathan and Zlatko Burić.
Jon Watts, known for directing the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy, remains one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. There is no doubt that he will find what it takes to produce the sequel.
