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(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.
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VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: Brad Pitt (L) and George Clooney attend the Venice International Film Festival World Premiere for Apple Original Films’ “Wolfs” at Palazzo del Cinema on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. “Wolfs” streams globally on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Images) -
TOPSHOT – Actor Brad Pitt attends the red carpet of the movie “Wolfs” presented out of competition during the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) -
Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney attend the red carpet of the movie “Wolfs” presented out of competition during the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: (L-R) Amal Clooney, George Clooney, Ines de Ramon and Brad Pitt attend the “Wolfs” red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: George Clooney attends the “Wolfs” red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: George Clooney poses with photographers as he attends the “Wolfs” red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) -
From left : actor George Clooney, actor Austin Abrams, actress Amy Ryan and actor Brad Pitt attend the red carpet of the movie “Wolfs” presented out of competition during the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 1: Brad Pitt and George Clooney attend the “Wolfs” red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 1, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images) -
TOPSHOT – Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney attend the red carpet of the movie “Wolfs” presented out of competition during the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) -
Actor Richard Gere jokes with photographers during the red carpet of the movie “Wolfs” presented out of competition during the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: George Clooney (L) and Brad Pitt attend the Venice International Film Festival photo call for Apple Original Films’ “Wolfs” at Palazzo del Casino on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. “Wolfs” premieres globally on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: George Clooney and Brad Pitt attend the “Wolfs” photocall during the 81st Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: George Clooney and Brad Pitt arrive at the Venice International Film Festival photocall for Apple Original Films’ “Wolfs” at Palazzo del Casino on September 1, 2024 in Venice, Italy. “Wolfs” premieres globally on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024.(Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple TV+)
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.
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BERLIN, GERMANY – JULY 10: US-danish actress Scarlett Johansson and US actor Channing Tatum attend the “To The Moon” premiere at Zoo Palast on July 10, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Tristar Media/Getty Images) -
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 31: Simone Holtznagel and Jono Castano attend the Sydney premiere of “Argylle” at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on January 31, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) -
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 20: Actor Joaquin Phoenix (L) and director Ridley Scott (R) attend the “Napoleon” premiere at the El Prado Museum on November 20, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/WireImage) -
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 11: Lily Gladstone, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jillian Dion and Janae Collins seen during Apple Original Films’ “Killers of the Flower Moon” FYC screening and Q&A at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Apple TV+)
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.