The Oscar-winning actor's second film as a director is another hardscrabble Western, similar to his 2005 debut, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, which won Jones the best acting honor in Cannes as well as taking the best screenplay prize. His latest comes with the Steven Spielberg's seal of approval. Last year's Cannes jury president personally recommended The Homesman to Cannes' select committee. (Sales: EuropaCorp)
Courtesy of Festival de CannesHaim Saban‘s new venture Saban Films will team with Roadside Attractions for U.S. distribution of Tommy Lee Jones‘ The Homesman.
The Western, which stars Jones and Hilary Swank, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Saban Films acquired the North American distribution rights during the film festival in its first acquisition.
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Saban and Roadside plan to release the film, which features a supporting cast of Meryl Streep, Grace Gummer, Hailee Steinfeld and James Spader, on Nov. 7 along with an awards campaign.
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“The brilliant Tommy Lee Jones, aided by Hilary Swank’s amazing performance, has done nothing less than reinvent the Western from a woman’s perspective,” said a statement from Roadside co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. “This major work is a dream project for Roadside.”
The project marks the second collaboration between Saban president Bill Bromiley, Jones and producer Michael Fitzgerald following 2008’s In the Electric Mist. In addition to partnering with Roadside to handle the theatrical release for the film, Saban Films will also manage sales on all other U.S. distribution platforms.
Saban Films aims to release eight to 10 feature films per year and distribute in North America via another major studio distribution partner, with whom they’re currently in talks.
