George Clooney has publicly denied reports that he and fellow actor Brad Pitt were paid over $35 million each for their roles in the upcoming film Wolfs. During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Clooney clarified the inaccuracies in the figures reported by a source from the New York Times, which claimed last week that the two actors earned substantial amounts for the project. The denial comes as the 63-year-old actor participated in discussions about the challenges faced by the film industry today.

Earlier today at a Venice press conference, George Clooney spoke about his and Brad Pitt’s rumored salaries for #Wolfs.

Clooney emphasized “it’s millions, and millions, and millions of dollars less than what was reported” #Venezia81 pic.twitter.com/8HeVCE1jaV

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 1, 2024

Clooney Challenges Reported Salaries for Wolfs

At the Venice Film Festival, where Wolfs was presented out of competition on September 1, 2024, Clooney addressed the press to dismiss the salary claims. He stated that the actual amount he and Brad Pitt received was significantly less than what was reported, emphasizing the potential negative impact of such inflated figures on the industry. Clooney remarked, “Whatever her source was for our salary, it is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported. 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.”

Clooney expressed concern that exaggerated reports of actor salaries could set unrealistic expectations and make film production more challenging. He elaborated, “I think that’s terrible, it’ll make it impossible to make films,” underscoring the financial pressures that studios face when trying to finance large projects.

Clooney and Pitt Return Part of Their Salaries

The actor further revealed that he and Pitt returned portions of their salaries after a theatrical deal for Wolfs fell through, resulting in a more limited release for the film. Wolfs, initially slated for a broader release, encountered obstacles that altered its distribution plans. Clooney shared that this kind of situation is not uncommon, citing his previous experience with the film The Boys in the Boat, which moved from MGM to Amazon, resulting in the loss of a foreign release.

Reflecting on the complexities of film distribution in the current climate, Clooney acknowledged the ongoing struggles within the industry. “We’ve had some bumps along the way, that happens. There are elements of this that we are figuring out,” he noted, referring to the adjustments made for Wolfs and the broader challenges of film releases today.

Film Releases Post-COVID

Clooney also touched upon the broader difficulties of releasing films in the current post-pandemic landscape, acknowledging the industry’s ongoing efforts to adapt. “You guys are all in this, too. We’re all in this industry, and we’re trying to find our way post-COVID and everything else, and so there’s some bumps along the way,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, Clooney remained optimistic about Wolfs’ limited release, which will still be shown in a few hundred theaters. He remarked that while a wide release would have been preferable, the film’s distribution still allows many viewers to experience it. “It is a bummer, of course, but on the other hand, a lot of people are going to see the film, and we are getting a release in a few hundred theaters,” Clooney stated, pointing to the evolving nature of film distribution in an uncertain market.

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