Adrien Brody’s Psychological Thriller ‘Backtrack’ Sells to Saban Films

Michael Petroni wrote and directed the movie, which recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival

Saban Films is in final negotiations on a seven-figure deal to acquire U.S. rights to the psychological thriller “Backtrack,” which stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Sam Neill and Robin McLeavy, the company announced Friday.

Written and directed by Michael Petroni (“The Book Thief”), the movie had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 18.

The deal includes a theatrical commitment for “Backtrack,” which marks Saban’s second acquisition out of Tribeca, having purchased the North American distribution rights to Ben Palmer’s romantic comedy “Man Up” starring Lake Bell and Simon Pegg.

In “Backtrack,” troubled psychotherapist Peter Bowers (Brody) is suffering from nightmares and eerie visions. When he uncovers the horrifying secret shared by his patients, he’s put on a course that takes him back to the remote hometown he fled years ago where he’s consumed by solving a decades-old mystery that holds the key to his strange and menacing delusions.

“‘Backtrack’ is an unexpected and haunting psychological thriller. Michael Petroni is a great storyteller and his film was a major standout in the Tribeca Film Festival. This will be a strong addition to the Saban slate,” said Saban Films president Bill Bromiley.

Petroni produced “Backtrack” with Jamie Hilton and Antonia Barnard, while the film was executive produced by Compton Ross, Phil Hunt and David Evans. The film was financed by Screen Australia with Head Gear Films and Metrol Technology, in association with Screen NSW and Deluxe Australia.

Bill Bromiley and Ness Saban are negotiating the acquisition deal on behalf of Saban Films with CAA and Bankside Films on behalf of the producers.

Saban is already in business with Brody, who stars in its upcoming crime movie “American Heist” with Hayden Christensen and Jordana Brewster. After distributing Tommy Lee Jones‘ “The Homesman,” the company’s upcoming releases including John Travolta‘s “The Forger,” Nicolas Cage‘s “The Trust,” Taylor Lautner’s “Tracers” and Pierce Brosnan‘s “How to Make Love Like an Englishman.”

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