It took the better part of a week, but the 81st annual Venice Film Festival welcomed it biggest and arguably best red carpet of this year’s ceremony as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and their respective partners celebrated the first official screening of Wolfs on Sunday night.
Brad, 60, looked dapper as he made his red carpet debut with his glamorous girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34, – a jewellery designer who he has been dating for around two years – at the premiere.
It was a double-date night as Brad’s long-time buddy George, 63, was at the event with his wife Amal, 46, an international human rights lawyer, who turned heads in a glamorous yellow dress.
In the film George and Brad play criminal ‘clean up’ specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job – disposing of a body in a hotel room.
Amal looked stunning in her yellow corset style dress which featured a pretty ruffled design and was teamed with heels to boost her height.
It took the better part of a week, but the 81st annual Venice Film Festival welcomed it biggest and arguably best red carpet of this year’s ceremony as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and their partners celebrated the first official screening of Wolfs on Sunday
(L-R) Amal Clooney, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon
Brad, 60, looked dapper as he made his red carpet debut with glamorous girlfriend Ines de Ramon , 34, – a jewellery designer who he has been dating for around two years – at the premiere
She wore her brunette tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look as she put on a loved-up display with George.
Meanwhile Ines showed off her toned figure in a white one-shoulder number that had ruched detailing and was teamed with a silver sequin handbag and statement earrings.
De Ramon, who is also divorced, moved in with Brad in Los Angeles in February this year and the couple have gone from strength to strength since. It is Brad’s first serious relationship since his divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Cate Blanchett, 55, also dazzled on the red carpet as she arrived in a black velvet dress which had a statement structured neckline.
She put on a confident display as she joined fellow actress Amy Ryan, 56, who stunned in a pink ruffled dress which was cinched in at the waist with a silk waistband.
Leading men Brad and George were reportedly paid $35 million each to act in the caper film, and had insisted on a release in cinemas.
But makers Apple had a change of heart and the film, which insiders say cost up to $200 million all in, is now only being released in cinemas in the US for one week.
In all other territories it will go straight to streaming, making it easily the most expensive TV film ever made.
Apple’s change of heart follows a run of expensive films made by the streamer – including Napoleon, Killers of the Flower Moon and Argylle – all flopping at the cinema.
The four famous faces all posed together as Brad gazed adoringly at Ines
Ines showed off her toned figure in a white one-shoulder number that had ruched detailing and was teamed with a silver sequin handbag and statement earrings
It is Brad’s first serious relationship since his divorce from Angelina Jolie and they looked happier than ever
De Ramon, who is also divorced, moved in with him in Los Angeles in February this year and they have been spotted together in Venice earlier this week
They looked in great spirits as they arrived together
They looked great as they all posed together
It was a double-date night as Brad’s long-time buddy George, 63, was on the red carpet with his wife Amal, 46, an international human rights lawyer who turned heads in a glamorous yellow dress
In the film George and Brad play criminal ‘clean up’ specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job – disposing of a body in a hotel room
The leading men were reportedly paid $35 million each to act in the caper film, and had insisted on a release in cinemas
Amal and George put on a typically loved-up display
Amal looked stunning in her yellow corset style dress which featured a pretty ruffled design and was teamed with heels to boost her height
She wore her brunette tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look as she put on a loved-up display with George
Makers Apple had a change of heart and the film, which insiders say cost up to $200 million all in, is now only being released in cinemas in the US for one week
Clooney has denied that their fees were as high as $35 million, saying the true figure was ‘many many millions below’ that amount
In all other territories it will go straight to streaming, making it easily the most expensive TV film ever made
Ama showed off her stunning engagement and wedding rings
The pair gazed adoringly at each other
The couple married in 2014 and share two children
Clooney denied that their fees were as high as $35 million, saying the true figure was ‘many many millions below’ that amount.
But he added that it was a ‘bummer’ the way it had worked out. He said: ‘We would have liked that, we wanted that, and Brad and I gave some of our salary back to do that. We have had some bumps along the way, and that happens.
‘It’s a bummer, of course it’s a bummer, but a lot of people are going to see the film and we are getting a release in a few hundred theatres. It would have been nice to get a wider release.’
He said that the economics of streaming are still being ‘figured out’ but added: ‘We are figuring it out. We need Apple and Amazon and they need Sony or Warners who have been doing it for 100 years.’
Pitt said: ‘I love the existence of the streamers because we get to see more story more talent and it gets seen by more eyes as well but it’s a delicate balance.’
Asked what the fact that a film with two huge stars was going straight to streaming said Clooney deadpanned: ‘Clearly we are in decline.’
The two men have been friends for decades and last worked together 15 years ago in the movie Burn After Reading.
Clooney said: ‘In Burn After Reading I got the extreme pleasure of shooting him in the face and we thought maybe we would try it 15 years later.
‘Brad and I have been doing this a long time separately and together. Over a period of time its worked pretty well. It felt like that banter, the way we blast at each other all the time, just felt easy.’
Brad looked as handsome as ever in a black suit with flared trousers
While George opted for a smart bow tie look
George looked in great spirits on the red carpet
The cameras were there to capture every move
They were quite the handsome duo at the premiere
George larked around with the cameramen
… As did a cheeky Brad
Cate Blanchett, 55, also dazzled on the red carpet as she arrived in a black velvet dress which had a statement structured neckline
She put on a confident display as she modelled the black dress which she wore with simple matching heels
The structured dress gave a dramatic effect
She joined fellow actress Amy Ryan, 56, who stunned in a pink ruffled dress which was cinched in at the waist with a silk waistband
Her youthful skin was glowing and she opted for a pop of red lip
George Clooney, Austin Abrams, Amy Ryan and Brad Pitt posed together
Brad and Amy chatted together on the red carpet
The four main leads posed together
Ines boosted her height with gold heels and accessorised with a glitzy clutch bag
Amal helped a camerman who had fallen over
The two men are now planning to act in a sequel and Pitt said: ‘We figured there had to be a good reason to get into a film together, something that we could build upon. I also have to say that as I have got older working with people who I enjoy spending time with has become really important to me.’
Apple, which funded the project has splashed out over £1 million on hiring the entirety of the Cipriani hotel for Pitt, Clooney and friends over the weekend.
These friends include Clooney’s agent Bryan Lourd, who accompanied Amal to a dinner on Saturday night, and the Apple boss Tim Cook, who previously spent time with the Clooneys at their holiday home on Lake Como.
They also include the films director Jon Watt who was absent after contracting Covid while in Venice and has now flown home.
