After seeing Wolfs, I’m excited that Brad Pitt chose this project instead of taking on the lead role in David Fincher’s The Killer. Produced by Apple Original Films, this new action comedy premiered in select theaters on September 20, 2024, and will be available globally in over 100 countries on September 27, exclusively on Apple TV+. The characters played by Pitt and Clooney are quite similar, but they find themselves reluctantly teaming up after a mysterious job goes awry. This marks the first time Pitt and Clooney have shared the screen since 2008’s *Burn After Reading*, directed by the Coen Brothers.

Wolfs centers around Clooney and Pitt as two lone wolf fixers assigned to the same job. The film also features 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). The movie is written and directed by Jon Watts, known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy with Tom Holland and Jeff Bridges’ series The Old Man. Apple has already approved a sequel for Wolfs, with both Clooney and Pitt set to return, which suggests the exciting potential for a trilogy.

Why Brad Pitt Turned Down Starring In David Fincher’s The Killer Movie In 2008

David Fincher had offered the leading role of the unnamed assassin protagonist in his 2023 Netflix thriller The Killer to Brad Pitt before it went to Michael Fassbender. Pitt reportedly turned the opportunity down, which opened the door for Fassbender’s cold-blooded and methodical killer to take form in Fincher’s latest film, which earned an 85% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although The Killer was not nominated for any Academy Awards, a feat that several of Fincher’s other films have accomplished, including Mank (2020), The Social Network (2010), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), it was one of the strongest original streaming movies of 2024.

Wolfs 2 has already been confirmed, but the details regarding George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s return remain unclear. Here are nine possible explanations for their involvement.

Fifteen years ago, Pitt declined David Fincher’s offer to star in The Killer when the acclaimed director was initially pitching the project. Pitt felt that the story, adapted from Alexis Nolent’s graphic novel, was too “nihilistic,” which ultimately led to his decision to pass on the role and a lengthy development process for the film. Fincher noted, “I’d originally been thinking of Brad back in 2008. But his response was, ‘Eh, a little too nihilistic for me.’ So 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 midst of refining the project, I thought of Michael Fassbender.”

Brad Pitt Would Have Been Playing A Very Similar Role To Wolfs In The Killer

Pitt’s character in Wolfs is thematically similar to that of Fassbender’s in The Killer on 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’s The Killer, he would have been playing nameless criminals in both with similar setups and twists. This would have ultimately made Pitt’s rendition in Wolfs feel repetitive and derivative of Fincher’s The Killer, especially if it had been made around the time it was initially pitched.

From Pulp Fiction to Michael Clayton, these films are perfect recommendations for fans of Apple TV+’s Wolfs, featuring Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Ultimately, the clever dialogue, playful banter, and comedic elements in Wolfs align much better with Pitt’s style compared to the cold-blooded killer in Fincher’s film. While Fassbender brings a robotic chill to his role in The Killer, Pitt’s natural charisma would likely have made his version of the character more relatable, significantly altering the tone of Fincher’s film. It’s intriguing to ponder how the releases of The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Gone Girl might have been impacted had Pitt chosen to star inThe Killer back in 2008.

Wolfs Is A Much Better Showcase Of Brad Pitt’s Humor & Action Chops Than The Killer’s Stoicism

Pitt is typically cast in roles that allow him to showcase his humorous or carefree side, a quality that likely would have emerged in his portrayal of the nameless assassin in The Killer. His diverse comedic and charismatic abilities would have been wasted on a muted, serious character who, despite being the protagonist, has many villainous traits. Fassbender, on the other hand, embodies a chilling presence as the assassin in The Killer, which ultimately enhances the film’s immersive quality.

I believe Pitt was right when he mentioned that the role felt too bleak and “nihilistic” for him. Even in his darker roles, like Fight Club and Se7en, he manages to infuse a bit of his signature personality. In Wolfs, Clooney effectively highlights that familiar charm Pitt possesses, making it a far more suitable project for him than The Killer.