Redefining Hollywood Masculinity: Pitt and Clooney's Evolution in Wolfs

Piece by: BBC

03 September 2024

• This script choice subtly challenges industry norms, contrasting with franchises like James Bond, which often ignore the aging of their leads.

"When Brad Pitt and George Clooney share the screen, it typically signals a stylish Hollywood hit. Their latest film, Wolfs, a classic crime thriller directed by Jon Watts, offers something deeper: a commentary on the evolving portrayal of masculinity in Hollywood.

Wolfs tells the story of two rival fixers forced to collaborate when they're hired to cover up a high-profile crime.

Amid car chases and shootouts, the film delves into themes of aging, identity, and the softening of traditional male archetypes.

While maintaining elements of the classic crime genre, Wolfs dismantles toxic masculinity, showing how Hollywood heroes can age gracefully without becoming parodies of their former selves.

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, the film received a four-minute standing ovation, reflecting its positive reception.

Despite this, Clooney expressed disappointment over the film's limited theatrical release, a growing trend as streaming platforms dominate distribution.

Clooney and Pitt even took pay cuts to ensure the film reached theaters, countering reports of their earnings.

Wolfs is self-aware, acknowledging the ages of its lead actors—both in their 60s—through witty dialogue that includes jokes about back pain and fading eyesight.

This script choice subtly challenges industry norms, contrasting with franchises like James Bond, which often ignore the aging of their leads.

Central to the film is the undeniable chemistry between Pitt and Clooney, blending camaraderie with competition.

The film plays on their real-life public personas, subtly referencing Pitt's controversies and Clooney's image of domestic bliss. This dynamic, mirroring their characters’ struggles, adds depth to their performances.

Wolfs could not have been made in the early 2000s when Pitt and Clooney first teamed up in Ocean’s Eleven.

Now, the film reflects not only their growth as actors but also Hollywood's shifting landscape. It’s a film that acknowledges both the on-screen and off-screen lives of its stars, making it a compelling addition to the evolving narrative of modern masculinity."