Art films come at a high price.
Saban Films has acquired domestic distribution rights to art heist film “The Forger” for $2.5 million, a individual close to the deal told TheWrap. The film, which stars John Travolta, follows a second-generation thief who gets out of prison to spend time with his son by taking on a job with his father to pay back a syndicate that arranged his release.The film will have its premiere on Sept. 12 at Roy Thompson Hall, but screened earlier this week at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“John Travolta was brilliant as a criminal who would go to any means to protect his son,” said Saban Films President Bill Bromiley. “We look forward to working with Travolta and the talented team behind ‘The Forger’ on the US release.”
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“The Forger” is Saban Films’ second acquisition of Toronto, the other was action thriller “Tracers,” starring Taylor Lautner and Marie Avgeropoulos from Temple Hill Entertainment.
Saban Films, backed by Haim Saban, launched in May when it picked up Tommy Lee Jones western drama “The Homesman” at the Cannes Film Festival. “Horseman” also stars Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank and will be released this fall. Saban announced plans to acquire 8-10 films a year and distribute them with a major studio distribution partner.
Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, Eugene Musso and Rob Carliner produced the film. WME, which co-repped The Forger with ICM Partners.