FilmNation Entertainment has acquired the majority of worldwide rights to "The Rover," the latest from "Animal Kingdom" writer-director David Michôd.
Set in the Australian desert in a dangerous near future, "The Rover" centers on a man who tries to track down the gang of thieves who steal his car.
Michôd (pictured left) wrote the script based on a story he conceived with his "Animal Kingdom" star Joel Edgerton.
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"This film represents another big step for FilmNation as we continue to invest in high caliber films," FilmNation Entertainment CEO Glen Basner said in a statement. "'The Rover' is going to be one kick ass flick.”
The announcement comes at the Cannes Film Festival, where FilmNation earlier announced it would be shopping the Taylor Lautner thriller "Tracers" and Pedro Almodovar's "Los Amantes Pasajeros" to international buyers.
FilmNation has two in-competition titles at the festival — "Lawless," a bootlegging drama starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy; and the fugitive-on-the-run drama "Mud" with Reese Witherspoon.
David Linde will produce "The Rover" for Lava Bear Films, while Liz Watts will produce for Porchlight Films. Tory Metzger, President of Lava Bear, will oversee the production for the company. The film will also be produced in association with Blue Tongue Films, the directors collective of which Michôd is a member.
Production will begin late 2012 in Australia.
Territories excluded in the deal are: UK, Latin America, Australia & NZ, Benelux, Scandinavia, Greece, Indonesia, Middle East, Poland, Croatia/Slovenia, Romania/Bulgaria/Hungary, Serbia and Turkey.
FilmNation will represent the U.S. sales with UTA Independent Film Group. The deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group, David Linde and Adam Rymer at Lava Bear and Glen Basner and Alison Cohen at FilmNation Entertainment. The producers were represented by attorneys Nina Stevenson and David Boyle.