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- Clockwork’s Cannes play: a young label making big headlines
- What was sold: details on the Cannes deal and price
- Cast and creative draw: a Western with major names
- Story and tone: reshaping the Western for today’s audience
- Writers, producers and the production team
- Release plan and what Clockwork is betting on
- Studio strategy and wider corporate context
- Related programming from Clockwork
At the Cannes market this week a star-packed Western, directed by Park Chan-wook, found a new U.S. home. The sale signals an aggressive push by Warner Bros.’ boutique arm Clockwork to build a buzzy theatrical slate.
Clockwork’s Cannes play: a young label making big headlines
Clockwork, the Warner Bros. specialty unit led by former Neon executive Christian Parkes, has yet to open its first release. Still, it has been a constant presence in industry headlines.
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- It announced the upcoming release of Sean Baker’s next film at CinemaCon.
- It arranged a repertory theatrical return for Ken Russell’s The Devils in Cannes Classics.
- Now it has moved on the highest-profile market title on offer: Park Chan-wook’s new Western.
What was sold: details on the Cannes deal and price
Industry outlets report Clockwork is in exclusive talks to acquire North American rights to The Brigands of Rattlecreek. Deadline says the price landed in the mid-teens million dollars range.
Park Chan-wook served as Cannes jury president this year, yet his film still generated immediate buyer interest on the market.
Cast and creative draw: a Western with major names
The movie brings together an international and star-driven cast that helped stoke buyer competition.
- Matthew McConaughey
- Austin Butler
- Pedro Pascal
- Tang Wei, who previously collaborated with Park on Decision to Leave
That line-up gave the title clear commercial and awards-era potential for distributors and exhibitors.
Story and tone: reshaping the Western for today’s audience
The project is described as a violent, character-focused Western set in the late 19th century. It centers on a town sheriff and a mysterious outsider who partner to hunt a brutal gang.
The pursuit pulls them into conflict with a Native community and into darker psychological territory. The film mixes frontier action with moral and psychological unraveling.
Writers, producers and the production team
Craig Zahler, known for Bone Tomahawk, wrote the screenplay. Park Chan-wook contributed rewrites and is among the producers.
- Producers include Brad Fischer and Park Chan-wook.
- Executive producers listed are Back Jisun for Moho Film, Mike Medavoy, and Georgia Kacandes.
Sales were co-repped by WME Independent and CAA Media Finance.
Release plan and what Clockwork is betting on
Clockwork plans a theatrical release in North America. The studio is positioning the title for both box office draw and awards visibility.
Park’s previous English-language feature was 2013’s Stoker, making this a notable return to English for the acclaimed director.
Studio strategy and wider corporate context
How Clockwork’s early slate develops will depend partly on broader studio ownership shifts. Warner Bros.’ future direction under the proposed Paramount Skydance relationship remains uncertain.
Regardless, Warner’s specialty arm appears determined to assemble a high-profile lineup capable of attracting theatrical partners and press attention.
Related programming from Clockwork
Alongside new acquisitions, Clockwork is also shepherding repertory titles back to theaters. The reissue of Ken Russell’s The Devils is scheduled as a limited theatrical engagement this October.
