Focus Features Reins in Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell Drama 'Mustang'

Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights, excluding France, to director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre’s drama “Mustang.”

Matthias Schoenaerts (“The Danish Girl”) and Jason Mitchell (“Kong: Skull Island”) will star in the film, which will begin production in September from a script by de Clermont-Tonnerre with Mona Fastvold and Brock Norman Brock.

Schoenaerts will play a convict named Roman who is given the chance to participate in a rehabilitation therapy program training wild mustangs.

With little connection to his fellow inmates, Roman now struggles to communicate with the animals.

Also Read: Focus Features Acquires Wim Wenders' Pope Francis Doc 'Man of His Word'

Working under the firm guidance of veteran trainer and alongside another young convict (Mitchell), Roman forges a strong bond with a particularly difficult mustang, which forces him to confront his harsh past and innermost demons.

Alain Goldman is producing through his company Legende, with Molly Hallam serving as executive producer.

France 3, Canal + and Ad Vitam will handle distribution in France.

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De Clermont-Tonnerre developed “Mustang” through the Sundance Labs and received the Sundance Institute/NHK Award for the project in 2015.

Mitchell is repped by UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary, and Ziffren Brittenham; Schoenaerts is repped by CAA and UBBA.

Focus has been on a bit of a buying streak on the Croisette, having already acquired Wim Wenders’ documentary “Pope Francis, a Man of His Word.”

Cannes 2017: Red Carpet Arrivals on the Croisette (Photos)

Al Gore attends the premiere of "The Killing of the Sacred Deer."
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Kevin Trapp and Izabel Goulart at the "The Killing of the Sacred Deer" premiere.
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Keith Urban ascends the stairs as he heads to the Grand Palais.
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Eva Longoria wears a gorgeous embroidered dress as she poses for photographers.
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Nicole Kidman stuns in a tulle gown as she enters the Grand Palais with Colin Farrell.
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Uma Thurman clutches opera glasses headed into the Grand Palais in this breathtaking aerial shot.
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Model Eva Herzigova gives a golden goddess vibe.
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Thai actress and couture maven Araya “Chompoo” Hargate.
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Uma Thurman, presiding over the Un Certain Regard jury this year, looks radiant in pale pink.
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For the second year in the row, Elle Fanning lights up the Croisette -- she's here at the premiere of "Ismael's Ghosts."
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Julianne Moore cuts a glamorous figure in red with lace detail.
Twice the star power with model Bella Hadid in the foreground, and L'Oreal ambassador Julianna Moore in the background.
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Netflix’s First Lady Claire Underwood — actress Robin Wright — steps out in a black mini.
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Susan Sarandon, star of FX"s "Feud," stuns in a satin number at the 70th Cannes opening night ceremony.
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Festival director Thierry Fremaux attends the opening night ceremony.
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Pedro Almodovar caves from his day look and dons all black formal wear
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Johnny Depp and French star Vanessa Paradis’ daughter (and Chanel ambassador) Lily Rose Depp
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Cannes Juror Fan Bingbing
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Best Actor Oscar winner Adrien Brody
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Will Smith swaps in an evening los at the 70th Cannes Opening Night ceremony
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Charlotte Gainsbourg, Arnaud Desplechin and Marion Cotillard attend the photo call for opening night film, "Ismael’s Ghosts"
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Jury members Will Smith, Jessica Chastain and Fan Bingbing pose on the Croisette.
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Jury director and atheleisure fan Pedro Almodovar (left) poses with Jessica Chastain and Will Smith.
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Official Cannes competition juror Will Smith brings a friendly — and world-famous — face to the famous Croisette.
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Cannes Master of Ceremonies Monica Bellucci
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Maestro Almodovar waves to the photo pit, rocking his track suit.
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Chastain gets cheeky and looks back during a group jury shot.
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Staff roll out the red carpet on the stairs of the temple of Cannes, the Grand Palais theater.
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Lana El Sahely wears a gorgeous gown on the red carpet.
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Colin Farrell and Sunny Suljic glance away from the camera in a candid shot.
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Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu on the red carpet.
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Sara Sampaio poses for photographers before heading into the Grand Palais.
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban share an embrace in front of photographers on the red carpet.
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