LOS ANGELES – May 20 2016 – Saban Films is closing in on the North American distribution rights to War on Everyone, written and directed by the universally acclaimed John Michael McDonagh (The Guard, Calvary). The action comedy, which made its World Premiere at the 2016 Berlinale followed by its U.S. Premiere at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival, stars Michael Peña (The Martian, Fury), Alexander Skarsgård (The Legend of Tarzan, “True Blood”),  Theo James (Divergent franchise), and Tessa Thompson (Creed, Selma). ​
War on Everyone follows two corrupt cops in New Mexico who set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path. Things take a sinister turn, however, when they try to intimidate someone who is more dangerous than they are. Or is he?
Writer and director, John Michael McDonagh said, “In an era of increasingly heightened tensions across America between law enforcement agencies and the communities they vow to serve and protect, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Saban Films has the guts to take on US distribution of War on Everyone, a film that is totally irresponsible, deliberately inflammatory, and completely lacking in any redeeming social or moral value whatsoever. Venceremos!”
“War on Everyone received great reactions out of both Berlin and SXSW and we feel very lucky to be working with John Michael McDonagh,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “The cast unite to create an incredible comedic team which equates to a fun, clever and unique film that will appeal to both broad commercial audiences as well as film enthusiasts.”
The film is produced by Chris Clark, Flora Fernandez Marengo and co-produced by Elizabeth Eves for Reprisal Films. Phil Hunt and Compton Ross also produce for Head Gear Films, with the support of the BFI Film Fund. Bill Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films. UTA Independent Film Group, CAA and Bankside Films represented the producers. Bankside Films is handling international sales. McDonagh is represented by UTA and UK-based Independent
Additional territorial deals not previously announced include sales in Germany to Constantin Film, Switzerland to Praesens, Russia to Arthouse and Baltic States to Hea Films . The film was previously sold to Sony Pictures Worldwide for multiple territories, UK and Eire to Icon Film Distribution and Australia/New to Icon Film Distribution.
Saban Films most recently acquired domestic rights to Rob Zombie’s 31, starring Sheri Moon Zombie, Golden Globe® Nominee Malcolm McDowell, Jeff Daniel Phillips and Meg Foster; and Renny Harlin’s action comedy Skiptrace, starring Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville, out of Berlin. Additional upcoming titles in the Saban Films slate include: sci-fi horror film Cell starring Golden Globe® nominee John Cusack, Academy Award® nominee Samuel L. Jackson and Isabelle Fuhrman; and I Am Wrath with John Travolta.
Since the company’s launch in 2014, Saban Films has released XX titles including The Homesman, starring Academy Award® winners Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank, which world premiered in Cannes; The Trust starring Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood; and Tom Tykwer’s A Hologram for the King starring two-time Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks, which World Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival with Saban partnering with Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions on the theatrical release.
 
About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America.  Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Director of Business Development.
About Reprisal Films
Reprisal Films is a UK production company committed to making original, idiosyncratic films, founded by John Michael McDonagh, Chris Clark, Flora Fernandez Marengo and Elizabeth Eves.
Their debut feature was the BAFTA nominated, international sleeper hit, The Guard. Starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle and Mark Strong, The Guard overtook The Wind That Shakes The Barley at the Irish box-office to become the most successful Independent Irish film of all time.
Reprisal’s second feature, Calvary, starring Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Marie-Josée Croze and Isaach De Bankolé won the Ecumenical Jury prize at the 2014 Berlinale and Best Actor for Brendan Gleeson at the 2015 British Independent Film Awards.
About Bankside Films
Based in London, Bankside is a leading international sales and film finance company for independent films.  Founded in January 2007. The company offers a bespoke sales and executive producer service to production companies, representing between eight and ten films a year.  Bankside’s principals have built up strong relationships with international distributors and offer a consistent approach to the market with a wide range of genres and budgets.  Since its inception, Bankside cash-flows pre-sales, tax credits and finances gap using its knowledge and extensive relationships with international financiers and distributors. Recent Films financed and distributed by Bankside Films are Belle by Amma Asante, Freeheld by Peter Sollet, X+Y by Morgan Matthews and War On Everyone by John Michael McDonagh.
 
Media Contact
Dana Archer / Nastasya Morauw
DDA Public Relations
+1 (310) 205-4868
dana.archer@ddapr.com / nastasya.morauw@ddapr.com