The upcoming Marche du Film in Cannes is set to feature two compelling thrillers, with Epic Pictures Group acquiring the international sales rights for "The Marshal" and Protagonist Pictures boarding international sales for "The Saviors." Both films promise engaging narratives and strong ensemble casts, highlighting a diverse range of suspenseful storytelling.

"The Marshal," which recently wrapped production, is a "taut, modern conspiracy thriller rooted in moral ambiguity and high-stakes action." Directed by Andrew Baird, known for "Zone 414" and "Sunrise," and penned by Jay Thames, the film marks the third collaboration between director Baird and Oscar nominee Guy Pearce. Pearce, acclaimed for his role in "The Brutalist," leads the cast as Iraq War veteran Clay Mercer, an elite marksman for the U.S. Marshals whose career is shattered after a pivotal shot at a presidential rally. Years later, he is ensnared in a covert network of operatives and a web of corruption, forcing him to choose between becoming a weapon or dismantling the system from within. The stellar cast also includes Bruce Greenwood, Kaniehtiio Horn, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Navid Negahban, and Jaylen Moore, among others. Guy Pearce expressed his excitement about the project, stating his long-standing interest in stories exploring the "fragile and often contradictory nature of truth." Andrew Baird added that the film's timeliness in the current political climate, combined with its "pressure-cooker conspiracy thriller" elements, was a significant draw. The film is produced by Kevin Matusow for Traveling Picture Show Company, Jay Thames for 77 Films, and Rob and Peter Blackie for Elemental Pictures, with numerous co-producers and executive producers involved.

Also heading to the Cannes Marché is "The Saviors," a provocative sci-fi thriller that recently premiered at SXSW. Protagonist Pictures is handling the international sales for this film, which boasts an impressive ensemble featuring Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, Nazanin Boniadi, Ron Perlman, and Greg Kinnear. Directed by Kevin Hamedani from a script co-written with Travis Betz, "The Saviors" centers on Sean and Kim Harrison, a suburban couple on the verge of divorce. Their decision to rent their guest house to a quiet Middle Eastern brother and sister unexpectedly spirals into paranoia when bizarre occurrences—mysterious lights, missing animals, and glimpses of unexplainable technology—coincide with the days leading up to a Presidential visit. As suspicion intensifies, the couple finds themselves drawn back together emotionally while uncovering a dangerous secret with unimaginable consequences. Dave Bishop, CEO of Protagonist Pictures, described "The Saviors" as a "bold, thought-provoking thriller" that intelligently builds tension and resonates with contemporary anxieties. The filmmakers emphasized Hamedani’s creation of an "urgent take on the classic paranoid thriller" filled with "provocative satire." The film is financed and produced by Matt Smith and Dan Gedman of Highway 10, with additional producers including Adam Scott and Naomi Scott for Great Scott Productions, and Nicholas Weinstock and Divya D’Souza for Invention Studios, among others. UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are representing North American rights.