Epic Pictures Group has acquired international rights to the new film “The Marshall,” starring Oscar nominee Guy Pearce (“The Brutalist”), and plans to release the film at this year’s Marché du Film in Cannes.
Directed by Andrew Baird (The Zone 414, One Way, Sunrise) from a script by Jay Thames, The Marshall has recently been described as a “taut contemporary conspiracy thriller rooted in moral ambiguity and high-stakes action.” This is also the third collaboration between Pearce and director Baird, following “Zone 414” (2021) and “Sunrise” (2024).
The film follows Clay Mercer (Pierce), an Iraq War veteran who is an elite marksman for a sheriff’s office until his career is ruined and his life is ruined by a single shot at a presidential rally. Years later, drawn into a secret network of operatives and manipulated through a web of corruption, Clay must decide whether to become the weapon he was created to be or dismantle the system from within.
In addition to Pierce, the ensemble cast includes Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, Dark Winds), Kanietio Horn (Possessor, Mohawk), Johannes Haukur Johannesson (Vikings: Valhalla), Navid Negahban (Homeland), Jalen Moore (Six), and Joel Thomas Hynes (Orphan Black). Gina La Piana (The Night Driver) and Anthony Del Negro (The Ladybug, The Edge of Everything).
“I’m thrilled to be working with my friend Andrew Baird again, especially on this fascinating production by Jay Thames,” Pearce said. “Ever since L.A. Confidential, I’ve been drawn to stories that explore the fragile and often contradictory nature of truth, and the opportunity to navigate the layered intrigue of The Marshall was truly moving.”
Director Baird added, “What attracted me to ‘The Marshall’ is how timely it is in today’s political climate, but also a deeply wounded pressure cooker conspiracy thriller. Guy is one of the great actors in cinema and it’s an honor to work with him again.”
The international sales agreement was negotiated by Milestone Studios President Alan B. Burstyn and Epic Pictures CEO Patrick Ewald.
“‘Marshall’ truly represents bold, high-concept storytelling that resonates with audiences around the world,” said Ewald, who is also an executive producer. “We’re thrilled to reunite Guy Pearce and Andrew Baird to bring this gripping thriller to Cannes buyers.”
The Marshall is produced by Kevin Matusow of Traveling Picture Show Company, Jay Thames of 77 Films, and Rob and Peter Blackie of Elemental Pictures. The film is co-produced by Michael Solomon and Patrick Ewald, with Katie Page serving as executive producer. Additional EPs include Kate Bacon, Mark S. Batzel, Lee Broda, Carissa Buffel, Alan B. Bursteen and Dawn Bursteen of Milestone Studios, Bryan Coyne, James Cullen Bressack, Bruce Cummings, Mark Holder, Christine Holder, Michael J. Moss, Jr., and Jeffrey M. Silverman.
Carolyn Coule Dereg, who was recently named Epic’s president of sales and content, will represent ‘The Marshall’ as part of the company’s Cannes sales plan in its own space at the Grand Hotel Residences.
