Two films with big names from Apple were up for bidding, and Sony has now risen as the victor. Deadline reports that Sony has won the global distribution of Wolfs, a feature starring Ocean’s Eleven buddies George Clooney and Brad Pitt, and Project Artemis, which features Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. The acquisitions mirror a similar distributing deal Sony has with Apple for Ridley Scott‘s recent historical epic, Napoleon, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby and is sailing toward $200 million worldwide from its distribution deal with Sony.
The similar distribution pact with both movies will give them a window of screening in theaters worldwide before settling on the AppleTV+ streaming service. Apple developed and produced the films. Napoleon‘s deal gave the movie a release on November 22 with a 45-day theatrical window. The movies have yet to have their theatrical release dates set. However, with the delay of many projects due to this year’s strikes, it’s being assumed that Sony will attempt to secure prime spots in 2024 when theaters will be clamoring for new releases.
Wolfs comes from Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man trilogy director Jon Watts. Watts marks his first non-superhero project by writing and directing the film “which follows two lone-wolf fixers assigned to the same job.” According to Deadline, “The star-studded cast also includes Academy Award-nominee and SAG Award-winner Amy Ryan. Clooney and Pitt are also producers. Clooney and Pitt are also producers. Clooney produces with Grant Heslov through Smokehouse Pictures. Pitt produces alongside Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment. Dianne McGunigle also produces.”
Meanwhile, Project Artemis is “directed by 2x Primetime Emmy nominee Greg Berlanti and written by Rose Gilroy, is set against the 1960s space race. Johansson and Tatum star alongside an ensemble cast that includes Jim Rash, Emmy Award-winner Ray Romano, newcomer Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Nick Dillenburg and Christian Zuber and Woody Harrelson. In addition to starring, Johansson serves as producer under her These Pictures banner. Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn produce alongside Johansson for These Pictures. Sarah Schechter produces for Berlanti Productions. Robert Dohrmann executive produces, and Apple Studios serves as the studio.”