WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Wolfs.
After watchingWolfs, I’m thrilled Brad Pitt went with it over starring as the protagonist in David Fincher’sThe Killer. Produced by Apple Original Films, the new action comedy wasreleased in select theaters on August 22, 2025, before its global premiere in 100+ countries on September 27 exclusively on Apple TV+. Pitt and Clooney’s protagonists are essentially cut from the same cloth but areforced to reluctantly work together after a mysterious job goes off the rails. Pitt stars alongside George Clooney in their first onscreen collaboration since2008’sBurn After Readingdirected by the Coen Brothers.
WolfsfollowsClooney and Pitt’s characters as two lone wolf fixerswho are assigned to the same job. The film also stars Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone,Bridge of Spies,Birdman), Poorna Jagannathan (Big Little Lies,The Night Of,Ramy), Austin Abrams (Euphoria,Paper Towns,This Is Us), and Richard Kind (Argo,Inside Out,A Serious Man).Wolfsis written and directed by Jon Watts, the celebrated director of Tom Halland’sSpider-Mantrilogy and Jeff Bridges' latest series,The Old Man. Apple has already greenlit asequel forWolfswith Clooney and Pitt set to return, whichI believe raises a good possibility of a potential trilogy.
Wolfsis streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.
Pitt said the story was too “nihilistic” for him
David Fincher had offered the leading role of the unnamed assassin protagonist in his 2023 Netflix thrillerThe Killerto Brad Pitt before it went to Michael Fassbender. Pitt reportedly turned the opportunity down, whichopened the door for Fassbender’s cold-blooded and methodical killer to take formin Fincher’s latest film, which earned an 85% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. AlthoughThe Killerwas not nominated for any Academy Awards, a feat that several of Fincher’s other films have accomplished, includingMank(2020),The Social Network(2010), andThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button(2008), it was one of the strongest original streaming movies of 2024.
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Pitt turned down Fincher’s offer to star inThe Killerwhen the acclaimed director was initially pitching the idea fifteen years ago. Pitt said that the story, which isbased on the graphic novel by Alexis Nolent, was too “nihilistic” for him, which is ultimately why he turned the part down andThe Killerentered a long development process.According to Fincher, “I’d originally been thinking of Brad [Pitt] back in 2008. But his response had been, “Eh, a little too nihilistic for me.” OK, so, who? We needed someone who would embrace that aspect of the character. Then a dozen or so years later, when Andy and I were in the middle of hashing it out, I thought of Michael Fassbender.”
Pitt’s character in Wolfs is similar at face value to the protagonist of The Killer
Pitt’s character inWolfsis thematically similar to that of Fassbender’s inThe Killeron paper, but the execution of the two characters is quite different. As for similarities, both are nameless assassins/fixers who are considered among the most elite and reliable in their field.Both Fassbender’s and Pitt’s assassin characters are highly skilled, organized, and deadly. If Pitt had taken on the lead role in Fincher’sThe Killer, he would have been playing nameless criminals in both with similar setups and twists. This would have ultimately made Pitt’s rendition inWolfsfeel repetitive and derivative of Fincher’sThe Killer, especially if it had been made around the time it was initially pitched.
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Ultimately, the wit, banter, and comedic elements inWolfsare much more Pitt’s style and are a better overall fit for the acclaimed actor versus the cold-blooded killer in Fincher’s film.Fassbender delivers a robotic chill to the protagonist inThe Killerwhereas Pitt’s natural charm likely would have made his version of the character more accessible, which would have completely changed the tone of the Fincher film. I also find it interesting to consider how the releases ofThe Social Network,The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, andGone Girlmight have been affected if Pitt signed on toThe Killerin 2008.
Wolfs is much more of a classic “Pitt” project than The Killer
Pitt is almost always cast in roles in which he can be somewhat funny or carefree, which likely would have been infused into his version of the nameless assassin inThe Killer. Pitt’s wide range of comedic and charismatic talents would have been lost if he were to play a muted, self-serious assassin who, despite being a protagonist, has many villainous features. Fassbender captures an eerie aura inThe Killer’sassassin, which ultimately makes the film more immersive.
I think Pitt was spot on when he said the role was too dreary and “nihilistic” for him. Even in his darker roles (Fight Club,Se7en), he’s able to carry some of his signature personality. Clooney brings out that familiar charm that Pitt naturally possesses inWolfs, making it a much more fitting project for him thanThe Killer.
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Wolfs
Cast
Wolfs is an action-thriller film written and directed by Jon Watts, and sees the on-screen reunion of Brad Pitt and George Clooney after nearly fifteen years. The film centers on two fixers who are brought together when they’re both hired for the same job.
