George Clooney revealed that he and Brad Pitt returned a portion of their salaries to ensure a broader theatrical release for their new film, “Wolfs.”

VENICE — For the first time since his provocative July 10 op-ed in the New York Times titled, “I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee,” George Clooney discussed the significant impact his article may have had on the political landscape.

Addressing a reporter’s question during a news conference for “Wolfs,” his latest buddy comedy with Brad Pitt premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Clooney opened up about his public stance. As one of President Joe Biden’s most ardent supporters and top fundraisers in Hollywood, Clooney’s op-ed was perceived as a catalyst for Biden’s decision to exit the presidential race in July, subsequently endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

“The real hero here is the president, who made an incredibly selfless decision akin to something we haven’t seen since George Washington,” Clooney began. He emphasized that the intricacies leading to Biden’s withdrawal were inconsequential compared to the altruistic act itself. “What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone relinquishing power for the greater good. We know how hard that is, we’ve seen it globally. For someone to say, ‘I think there’s a better path forward,’ deserves all the applause,” Clooney asserted.

Although Clooney did not directly mention Vice President Harris during the press conference focused on the film, he expressed pride in the current state of global affairs. “I think we’re all very excited for the future,” he said.

Clooney was widely recognized as the most prominent figure urging Biden to step down publicly. In his op-ed, he detailed his concerns after witnessing a weakened Biden at a June 15 fundraiser that Clooney himself hosted, which amassed a record $30 million. Following a poorly received debate against former President Donald Trump on June 27, an array of celebrities including Stephen Colbert, Michael Moore, and Stephen King also called for Biden to withdraw. Just eleven days after Clooney’s op-ed, Biden exited the race.

At the news conference, Clooney also addressed recent changes in the distribution plan for “Wolfs.” Initially acquired by Apple after a competitive bidding war, the film was slated for a wide release. However, Apple later announced a limited U.S. release on Sept. 20, followed by availability on its streaming platform on Sept. 27, with no international theatrical release beyond Venice.

“It is disappointing,” Clooney admitted. He highlighted that both he and Pitt had given back portions of their salaries to facilitate a broad theatrical release. “We wanted it badly. That’s why Brad and I gave back some of our salary,” he explained.

Clooney also corrected misconceptions about their compensation, clarifying that their actual salaries were significantly lower than the reported $35 million each. “It’s harmful to our industry if people think that’s standard pay. It could make film production unsustainable,” he noted.

Both actors helm production companies—Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures and Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment—necessitating ongoing collaborations with streaming platforms. Despite their disappointment with “Wolfs,” they framed it as an isolated issue. Clooney had faced similar challenges with his Amazon MGM film “The Boys in the Boat” not receiving an international theatrical release last year.

Pitt echoed Clooney’s sentiment about balancing traditional and streaming platforms. “We’re always going to be nostalgic about the theater experience,” Pitt said. “But streamers bring more stories and talent to more viewers. It’s a delicate balance now, but it’ll stabilize.”

Clooney emphasized the expanding opportunities for actors today compared to his early career. “There are hundreds of narrative TV shows now, creating more work for actors,” he said. However, he stressed the mutual dependence between streamers and traditional distributors like Sony or Warner Bros., who’ve honed this craft for a century. “We’re all figuring it out together,” he concluded.

In summary, Clooney and Pitt’s collaboration on “Wolfs” highlights their commitment to preserving traditional film experiences while navigating the evolving landscape of streaming services.