EXCLUSIVE: Arclight Films has licensed US rights on the Australian thriller starring Aaron Pedersen and Ryan Kwanten to Well Go USA.

Arclight managing director Gary Hamilton served as executive producer and described the recent deal in Cannes as “significant.” Well Go plans an early 2014 release.

Ivan Sen directs Mystery Road, which stars Pedersen and an ensemble that includes Hugo Weaving, Jack Thompson, Kwanten, Tony Barry, Tasma Walton, Damian Walshe-Howling, David Field, Robert Mammone and newcomer Trisha Whitton.

Sen wrote the screenplay to the story about a detective who returns to his Australian Outback town to solve the murder of an Aboriginal teenage girl. The project is in post.

Producer David Jowsey, whose credits include Mad Bastards and Toomelah, said: “We are delighted to hear of Mystery Road being picked up for a US release. Ivan Sen’s murder mystery feature has a great cast and its genre roots should deliver to audiences around the world.”

“We are thrilled to be able to bring this wonderful, action-packed thriller that has such an outstanding cast to US audiences,” said Well Go president Doris Pfardrescher. “Moviegoers will experience a ride full of twists and turns that will keep them glued to the screen throughout the entire film.”