Relativity Media has acquired US rights to the sci-fi thriller Skyline in a deal that takes one of the most sophisticated effects-driven independent features off the market.

Ryan Kavanaugh and Tucker Tooley of Relativity will serve as executive producers along with Brett Ratner, who brought the project to the company, and Brian Tyler, who is composing the score.

CAA packaged the film and brokered the deal with Industry Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobsen on behalf of the film-makers.

IM Global pre-sold much of the film in Berlin based on a promo. Rights have gone to Momentum Pictures (UK), SND (France), Eagle (Italy), Wild Bunch (Germany), Hopscotch (Australia), Splendid (Benelux), Nordisk (Scandinavia), CP Media (Russia), Korea Screen (South Korea), and Playarte (Latin America).

Skyline co-directors Greg and Colin Strause previously directed Aliens Vs Predators: Requiemand their Santa Monica-based effects house Hydraulx has created effects on such films as Avatar, Iron Man 2 and the upcoming Gulliver’s Travels.

The story takes place in a downtown Los Angeles high-rise where two friends wake up from a party to discoverdiscover an all-out war has started between an unknown alien force and humans. The Brothers Strause produced with Kristian Andresen and co-screenwriter Liam O’Donnell.

Donald Faison, Eric Balfour, David Zayas, Scottie Thompson and Brittney Daniel star. Joshua Cordes and O’Donnell wrote the screenplay.

“The Brothers Strause are the magicians behind so many of today’s ground breaking visual effects,” Kavanaugh said. “We’re excited to partner with them and to help provide the right environment to bring Greg and Colin’s vision to the masses. It’s unique to find a sci-fi thriller with these kind of epic visuals that actually has a heart.”

Skyline represents the next evolution of our careers,” Greg Strause said. “To have it in the hands of Relativity and Brett, who share our pioneering spirit, is simply awesome,” Colin Strause added.