'The Rover' Acquired by A24 for US Distribution

From HollywoodReporter:

A24 has acquired U.S. rights to David Michod’s thriller The Rover, starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson.

Set in a futuristic version of Australia following an economic collapse, the film follows Pearce, who plays a loner traveling the outback, who teams up with Pattinson to track a gang of thieves.

Michod, who wrote and directed 2010’s Animal Kingdom, also wrote The Rover based on a story he and Joel Edgerton conceived. It was produced by Michod, Liz Watts for Porchlight Film and David Linde under his Lava Bear Films banner. The film co-stars Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones and Susan Prior. Natsha Braier served as director of photography and Jo Ford, who also collaborated with Michod on Animal Kingdom, was production designer.

A24 will release The Rover theatrically in the U.S., while Village Roadshow will release it in Australia and New Zealand. The film’s investment partners include Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation and Screen NSW, and financial partners Fulcrum Media and the Union Bank.

”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,” producers Watts and Linde said.

A24 is currently distributing Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring and will open James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now on Aug. 2.

A24 negotiated the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers and FilmNation Entertainment. UTA also reps Michod. Prior to selling the U.S. rights to A24, FilmNation Entertainment licensed the film to a majority of territories worldwide based on showing a two-minute reel of footage from the film.

From Variety:

A24 has acquired U.S. rights to futuristic thriller “The Rover,” starring Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce.
Project, set in a dystopian version of Australia, is directed by “Animal Kingdom” helmer David Michod. Producers are Liz Watts for Porchlight Film and David Linde under his Lava Bear Films banner along with Michod.

Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones and Susan Prior also star.
 
Story, conceived by Michod and Joel Edgerton, is set in a world where life is cheap a decade after the collapse of the western economic system. Pearce portrays a loner traveling in the desolate Australian outback, where a gang of thieves steal his car and leave behind a wounded member, played by Pattinson, who’s then forced to help track down the gang.

Project was announced at Cannes last year with FilmNation Entertainment acquiring the majority of worldwide rights. FilmNation subsequently licensed a majority of territories worldwide based on a two-minute reel of footage.

The film was shot in the deserts of South Australia earlier this year and is  in post-production in Sydney. Village Roadshow will release the film in Australia and New Zealand.

Investment partners include Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corp. and Screen NSW. Financial partners are Fulcrum Media and the Union Bank.

A24 negotiated the deal for U.S. rights with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers and FilmNation Entertainment. UTA also represents Michod.