Vertical has acquired North American rights to the Kiefer Sutherland thriller
Summary
– Vertical acquired North American rights to Father Joe
– The action thriller is planned for a wide theatrical release in 2027
– Kiefer Sutherland stars alongside Ever Anderson, Michael Rispoli and Al Pacino
Vertical has acquired North American rights to Father Joe, the action thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, Ever Anderson, Michael Rispoli and Al Pacino. The distributor plans a wide theatrical release in 2027.
Luc Besson wrote and produced the film, which Barthélémy Grossmann directed. The rights deal was made with EuropaCorp, Kinology and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
Sutherland plays Father Joe, a priest waging a secret war against crime rings in Manhattan’s Little Italy. As the criminal network grows, Joe forms unexpected alliances and takes his fight beyond the church to protect people in danger.
Father Joe premiered at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival. Fred Melamed, Chris Tardio and Erik Palladino also appear in the film.
The movie was produced by LB Production, EuropaCorp, Besson and Sutherland, with Romuald Drault serving as executive producer. Several members of Besson’s Dracula crew also worked on the production, including cinematographer Colin Wandersman, editor Lucas “Kub” Fabiani, production designer Hugues Tissandier and costume designer Corinne Bruand.
Grossmann called working with the cast a dream and said he was eager for North American audiences to see the film in theaters. Vertical partner Peter Jarowey said the company was pleased to reunite with Besson after the North American theatrical success of Dracula.
