Newly launched distribution company takes North American rights to Tommy Lee Jones’ Cannes Competition title.

Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights to The Homesman.

The deal, which is understood to have gone down for around $3m, is the first acquisition for the company following its launch last week.

Tommy Lee Jones’ latest directorial outing premiered on May 18 in Competition at Cannes, and stars Jones alongside the likes of Hilary Swank, Hailee Steinfeld, James Spader and Meryl Streep.

Saban Films, headed by president Bill Bromiley, finalised the negotiations with the majority owner of the North American rights, Brian Kennedy. It plans a 2014 theatrical release.

CAA and Scott Edel of Loeb & Loeb represented the film in the deal, with Bromiley, Ness Saban and Niveen Tadros, EVP & general counsel, negotiating on behalf of Saban Films.

EuropaCorp handles international sales.

Haim Saban commented: “We are honoured to have such a prestigious and beautifully crafted film as the first project to launch Saban Films.”

The Homesman is the perfect example of the quality, high calibre slate of projects we aim to build,” added Adam Chesnoff, president and COO of Saban Capital Group.