Saban Films Acquires North American Rights to Michael Madsen's Blood Behind Us

Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Blood Behind Us, an action thriller starring Michael Madsen, with a theatrical release set for January 2027 and a digital release in February 2027. Deadline reported the deal as the American Film Market got underway on November 10, 2026.

Saban Films' Deal for Blood Behind Us

Saban Films is a Los Angeles-based film acquisition and distribution company founded in 2014 that buys commercial, talent-driven features for North American theatrical and video-on-demand release. The film is directed by Brendan Gabriel Murphy and produced by Silver Sail Entertainment, Altered State Entertainment and Hooligan Dreamers.

In the film, a battle-scarred ex-soldier named Casey Hatfield, played by Tanner Beard, is fighting to reclaim his role as a father when a psychotic contract killer, played by Michael Aaron Milligan, targets him. Madsen plays Reed Philibosian, Casey's estranged father. The cast also includes Jaime King, Russell Quinn, Ramsey Krull and Katie Leclerc.

Lee Meltzer Consulting will handle the theatrical release in January 2027, and Saban Films will release the film on digital platforms in February 2027. Steve Break of Saban Films negotiated the deal with Itzchak Maghen, vice president of worldwide sales at Quantify, on behalf of the filmmakers.

"Brendan Gabriel Murphy has made a thriller that moves fast and hits hard, with Michael Madsen at its center," Break said. "We're proud to honor Michael's career by bringing this film to audiences across North America." Maghen said Saban Films "know this audience better than anyone, and they responded immediately to the film's intensity and heart." Murphy said working with Madsen was "a dream come true" and that he was "incredibly proud of what we created together." Madsen died on July 3, 2025 in Malibu, California, at 67.

Saban Films' Credit Line and Release Partners

Saban Films extended a $60 million senior credit facility with East West Bank through 2030 in July 2026, continuing a decade-long financing relationship, according to akta.pro company records. The same records list Lionsgate as Saban Films' primary studio distribution partner for North American theatrical releases and Roadside Attractions as a co-release partner on titles including 'The Unholy Trinity', 'King Ivory', 'Crawlers', 'Lucky Strike' and 'Fuze'. The records put the company's library at more than 300 films, distributed across 10 or more international territories.

Saban Films' Earlier 2026 Acquisitions

Saban Films acquired U.S. rights to the survival thriller Alphas, starring Martin Henderson and Charlotte Vega and directed by Liam O'Donnell, with a theatrical release set for early 2027, Deadline reported in September 2026. That month, Variety reported that Saban Films acquired North American rights to the Maisie Williams thriller Ignition, directed by James Erskine, with WestEnd Films closing the deal on a film then in post-production. In July 2026, Deadline reported the East West Bank credit line extension through 2030.