Ooooooh exciting news *claps hands* From @TheInSneider of The Wrap:
Robert Pattinson Thriller ‘The Rover’ Gets Picked Up By A24
A24 has acquired U.S. distribution rights to David Michôd’s slow-burn thriller “The Rover,” which stars Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson and Scoot McNairy.
Michôd’s script is based on a story he conceived with his “Animal Kingdom” star Joel Edgerton. The director also produced the film with Liz Watts of Porchlight Film and David Linde of Lava Bear Films.
“The Rover” is set in a world 10 years following the collapse of the western economic system, where Australia’s mineral resources have drawn the desperados and dangerous to its shores. With society in decline, the rule of law has disintegrated and life is cheap. The film follows hardened loner Eric (Pearce), who travels the desolate towns and roads of the Australian outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake. Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.
“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 on the future release of the film,” Watts and Linde said in a joint statement.
A24 negotiated the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers and FilmNation Entertainment. The upstart distributor recently released Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring” and has “The Spectacular Now” opening on Aug. 2.
Love hearing news about this film – just LOVE it 😀
Updated: Inside Film has also posted the US distribution news AND they mention something exciting for us Aussies. Nothing of course, is confirmed as yet.
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.
Fantastic news! Wouldn’t be surprised if MTTS get picked by these guys
still twirling from Dior – lucky I don’t get dizzy easily
@sare I think eOne already has MTTS because I wondered if Hopscotch would release here since they were acquired by eOne but they told me it’s too early to confirm when I asked a few months back
Oh ok. Do they normally pick up movies without a big financial backing before filming has started? Thanks Maria
Cannot stop smiling all this fab Rob career news, beyond exciting 😀 thanks girls so much appreciated as always xx
@sare eOne does indie films – that’s why they released Bel Ami. If you look at Hopscotch most of their films are small budget indies – its what they focus on. You can’t compare these films with big budget ones they are chalk and cheese :).
Early 2014!!!!! Early 2014 !!!!!! Squeeeeeeeeee
It is great to see it get picked up in The US too. That will be music to a few RPAU ladies ears
Definitely Carmel, loving all this news. Today has been such an AMAZING day. The happy dance has been in full swing *twirls* 😀
Wonderful news – thanks so much for keeping us updated Michelle. *twirls* 😀
@Maria I’m not at all familiar with the industry, as you can see!
\O/ Woot! The words “U.S. Distribution” always put a big smile on my face. 🙂
And I love this quote from A24 “David Michôd is a visionary filmmaker and we are thrilled to work with him to bring The Rover to US audiences. The movie will undoubtedly confirm his singular voice and distinctive gift for creating arresting visuals and indelible characters”.
Agree @Maria….absolutely fantastic quote. So excited to see this….:D