Brad Pitt, George Clooney made ‘around $20M’ each for ‘Wolfs’

Welcome to The Scoop — the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. to Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here. 

(NewsNation) — George Clooney lit into The New York Times this week after the paper of record claimed he and Brad Pitt made $35 million each for their starring roles in the Apple TV movie “Wolfs.”

Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, Clooney told reporters: “[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. I think that’s terrible; it’ll make it impossible to make films.”

My source says the real figure each actor made was “around $20 million” for the film. Not cheap — but Clooney is correct. If the men both demanded $35 million for each film they were in, it would price them out of the market completely.

In addition, almost all streamers are rethinking their movie/theater strategies.

Brad Pitt, George Clooney: Bidding war for ‘Wolfs’

Apple TV won a bidding war for “Wolfs” in 2021 in part by promising a wide theater launch before the flick appeared on the streaming platform. That changed last week when the company announced a limited theater run and a quick-to-streamer debut for the movie, disappointing its stars and director.

The film’s director, Jon Watts, told Vanity Fair that he had found out about the change in plans only days before the announcement: “The theatrical experience has really made an impression on me of how valuable this thing is and how important it is. … I always thought of this as a theatrical movie. We made it to be seen in theaters, and I think that’s the best way to see it.”

But the bottom line has been hurt by theatrical runs — where, if they’re not successful, people don’t necessarily want to watch it on streaming.

Apple TV: Big-budget flops

And Apple has seen a lot of recent hits with big-budget flops.

According to the Times: “(Apple TV+) joined forces with Paramount Pictures to release Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ which cost $200 million to make and grossed $157 million worldwide. Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ (Sony) cost $200 million and grossed $221 million worldwide. The $200 million spy thriller ‘Argylle’ (Universal) grossed $96 million. And most recently, Apple teamed up with Sony again to release ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ which cost $100 million but grossed just $40 million worldwide despite the star power of Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum.”

A rep for Pitt declined comment, while reps for Clooney didn’t return emails.