Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios has acquired the distribution rights to Christian Bale’s gritty Western “Hostiles,” which is directed by Scott Cooper and had its premiere at Telluride and Toronto.
“Hostiles” features Bale as Capt. Joseph J. Blocker, an army officer who agrees to escort a dying, imprisoned Cheyenne war chief named Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi), and his family back to their tribal lands so he may receive a proper burial. Along the way, they are joined by Rosalie Quaid (Rosamund Pike), a widow whose entire family was slaughtered by a band of warring Comanche, and a dangerous criminal who needs to be escorted North (Ben Foster).
Blocker just wants to get the job done so he can retire and head back east, but as the journey goes on, the distrustful group is left with no choice but to band together to survive the journey.
In addition to directing the film, Cooper co-wrote the script with Donald E. Stewart and produced with Ken Kao and John Lesher. The film has been set for a limited release in December and a wide release in January.
The deal was negotiated by ESMP Head of Acquisitions Chris Charalambous, WME Global Finance & Distribution, and the CAA’s Film Finance & Sales Group.
