The producers of David Michôd's thriller The Rover have clinched a US distribution deal with a relatively new distributor, A24.
Founded in 2012, the New York-based A24 successfully launched Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring earlier this month after raking in $US14.1 million with Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers.
Currently in post-production, the film, the director's follow-up to Animal Kingdom, stars Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones and Susan Prior and is set in the near future in the Australian desert.
Roadshow will release the film scripted by Michôd and based on a story he conceived with Joel Edgerton in Australia in early 2014.
The producers are Porchlight Films' Liz Watts and Lava Bear Films’ David Linde. Pearce plays Eric, a loner who travels the desolate towns and roads of the Australian outback 10 years after the collapse of the Western economic system.
When a gang of thieves steal his car they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson). Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.
Watts and Linde said: "A24 is a perfect fit for The Rover – a young, innovative and exciting company at the cutting edge of the independent sector in the US, they have contributed to an already exciting array of global distribution partners, and we are pleased to be partnering with them."
FilmNation Entertainment has sold the film to a majority of territories worldwide based on a two-minute reel. The film was financed by Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen NSW, Fulcrum Media and the Union Bank.