Row K Entertainment Acquires Gus Van Sant's 'Dead Man’s Wire': A New Chapter in Theatrical Distribution
Row K Entertainment, a new U.S. theatrical distribution company under Media Capital Technologies, has made its first North American acquisition with Gus Van Sant’s film "Dead Man’s Wire." The movie, which stars Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino, premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival after debuting at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. "Dead Man’s Wire" tells the true story of the 1977 kidnapping that turned Tony Kiritsis into an outlaw folk hero.
The acquisition of "Dead Man’s Wire" was facilitated by Cassian Elwes of Elevated Films and Paula Paizes and Sam Pressman of Pressman Film, with WME Independent representing the film's worldwide rights. Row K Entertainment, named after the coveted theater seat with the best view, is committed to supporting theatrical releases. The company, which was launched less than a month ago, expressed excitement about collaborating with Gus Van Sant and the cast of "Dead Man’s Wire" to bring the film to audiences in the United States and Canada.
MCT Principals and Row K Co-Chairman Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh emphasized their dedication to championing ambitious, artist-driven cinema through their partnership with Gus Van Sant and the team behind "Dead Man’s Wire." Row K President Megan Colligan highlighted the film's captivating storytelling and expressed pride in making it the company's inaugural release. MCT, a media and entertainment investment company founded in 2019, focuses on structured finance, corporate transactions, and venture incubation, with institutional investors like MassMutual backing the company.
MCT has been Lionsgate’s primary slate co-financing partner since 2023 and has invested in over 20 films with the studio, including projects like "Saw X," "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," and the "John Wick" spinoff "Ballerina." The company's upcoming titles include "The Long Walk," "Good Fortune," and "The Housemaid." In collaboration with filmmaker Eli Roth, MCT launched The Horror Section in early 2025, a media company dedicated to building a horror library and establishing a premier horror brand. Roth's "Ice Cream Man" was well-received by international buyers at Cannes and is set for a wide theatrical release in 2026.
In conclusion, Row K Entertainment's acquisition of "Dead Man’s Wire" marks a significant milestone for the new theatrical distribution company, showcasing its commitment to supporting bold, artist-driven cinema. The collaboration with Gus Van Sant and the talented cast underscores Row K's dedication to bringing captivating stories to audiences in North America.