Director Jon Watts had high hopes for a Wolfs sequel after Apple gave the green light. However, his plans took a turn when Apple cancelled its wide theatrical release. This led to Watts backing out of the project, citing a loss of trust as a creative partner.

Apple's Theatrical U-Turn and Its Impact

In August, The New York Times reported that Apple pulled the theatrical run for Wolfs due to concerns about spending too much on films. This decision came after multiple high-profile box office disappointments. At the same time, Apple's limited-run approach worked well for Doug Liman's The Instigators, driving significant sign-ups to Apple TV Plus.Wolfs became the most viewed feature film on Apple TV Plus, but Watts was unhappy with the last-minute shift from a wide theatrical release. He asked Apple not to announce a sequel, but they ignored his request and created a positive spin with their press release. As a result, Watts returned the money for the sequel to avoid negative press.

Watts' Perspective on the Experience

Watts loved working with the cast of Wolfs and would be willing to do it again. However, the lack of trust in Apple as a creative partner led him to make the difficult decision to back out. He was shocked by Apple's change in plans and felt that his vision for the sequel was no longer being supported.

Similar Experiences in the Industry

Doug Liman had a similar experience making Road House for Amazon. While he praised Apple for being above board with The Instigators, he still expressed his unhappiness with the studio's decisions. Director Steve McQueen also shared his disappointment with Apple's limited release of his WWII film Blitz.These experiences highlight the cautious approach that Apple seems to be taking with its theatrical risks. As Bloomberg reported in September, the company is spending less money per movie and focusing on one or two big theatrical swings a year.