EXCLUSIVE: The distributor has acquired North American and UK rights to the John Travolta thriller, which Diamond Pictures is selling on the Croisette.

Jackie Earle Haley directs Criminal Activities from a screenplay by Robert Lowell about four young men who fall foul of the mob when they follow a tip-off.

Haley also stars alongside Dan Stevens, Michael Pitt, Christopher Abbott, Rob Brown and Edi Gathegi.

“This is a smart, witty, extremely commercial thriller with elements of Boiler Room and Reservoir Dogs and an ending you don’t see coming,” said Mark Ward, chief acquisitions officer for the Image brands at Image parent company RLJ Entertainment. “We’re excited to bring this film with a star-studded cast to the big screen.”

Image plans an autumn theatrical release on the film after Ward and Matt Hooper brokered the deal with WME Global.

Wayne Rice, Howard Burd and Micah Sparks produced and Rodger May, Gayle Nosal and Daniel Diamond served as executive producer.