Row K Entertainment Acquires U.S. and Canadian Rights to Gus Van Sant’s "Dead Man’s Wire"

Row K Entertainment has secured the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to Gus Van Sant's film "Dead Man’s Wire," marking a significant acquisition from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This deal, estimated to be in the mid-seven figure range, represents the inaugural release for Row K, a new theatrical distribution company launched by Media Capital Technologies (MCT) in August 2025. The film, which stars Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino, tells the true story of Tony Kiritsis, an Indianapolis entrepreneur who became an outlaw folk hero following a 1977 kidnapping incident involving his mortgage broker.

Deadline Hollywood

"Dead Man’s Wire" premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received an 11-minute standing ovation, and subsequently made its North American debut at TIFF. The film's narrative centers on Kiritsis's life savings invested in a real estate venture that he believed was sabotaged, leading to his drastic actions. The positive audience reception at both festivals has positioned the film as a strong contender for awards consideration.

Variety Magazine

Row K Entertainment aims to focus on wide releases of star-driven and prestige filmmaker projects with global appeal. The company’s name is derived from the seat often regarded as offering the best view in a theater, symbolizing its commitment to enhancing the cinematic experience. MCT co-chairmen Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh expressed their enthusiasm for collaborating with Van Sant, stating that the film exemplifies the ambitious, artist-driven cinema they intend to champion.

The Wrap

Megan Colligan, president of Row K, remarked, “Gus Van Sant has crafted yet another masterful work that audiences are already embracing around the world. As we introduce and scale Row K, we’re proud that our very first release is 'Dead Man’s Wire.' It’s an ambitious, artist-driven film that reflects the kind of bold cinema we intend to bring to audiences.” The acquisition was negotiated by Cassian Elwes of Elevated Films and Paula Paizes and Sam Pressman of Pressman Film, with WME Independent representing the worldwide rights for the film.

Variety Magazine

"Dead Man’s Wire" is set to open in theaters before the end of the year, with an anticipated awards push following its festival successes. Row K's strategic focus on ambitious projects is underscored by its backing from MCT, which has been involved in financing over 20 films with Lionsgate since 2023.

The Wrap

While the acquisition details have been consistently reported, some sources differ slightly on the specifics of the deal's financial terms and the exact timing of negotiations. However, the overall narrative of Row K's commitment to artist-driven cinema remains clear across reports.

Deadline Hollywood

• “When we launched Row K less than a month ago we knew the type of movies, and even more importantly, filmmakers, that we wanted to align ourselves with, which is why we could not be more energized to work alongside Gus Van Sant and the cast of Dead Man’s Wire to bring this story to audiences across the United States and Canada,” — Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh, Co-Chairmen, Row K Entertainment

Deadline Hollywood

• “It’s an ambitious, artist-driven film that reflects the kind of bold cinema we intend to bring to audiences.” — Megan Colligan, President, Row K Entertainment

Row K closes deal in TIFF for ‘Dead Man’s Wire’, company’s first acquisition