Magnet Releasing has acquired US rights to Nicolas Winding Refn's Bronson following the drama's Sundance and Rotterdam screenings. The film had its world premiere at the London Film Festival last year.

This is the second time Refn has partnered with Magnet after the distributor and its sister company Magnolia released his Pusher trilogy in the US in 2006.

Rupert Preston and Daniel Hansford produced the Vertigo Films picture based on the life of the notorious British prisoner and riot instigator.

'Bronson is yet another benchmark film from Refn,' Magnolia/Magnet senior vice president Tom Quinn said. 'Bringing to the table the rich textures of A Clockwork Orange and a bravura performance by Tom Hardy, this film is another great example of what defines the aesthetic of Magnet Releasing. Refn is one of our favorite directors working today, and we couldn't happier about working together again.'

Quinn and acquisitions manager Peter Van Steemburg negotiated the deal with Protagonist Pictures CEO Ben Roberts.