Highland Film Group secures international deals for the sci-fi thriller starring Russell Crowe and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, with Michael Chiklis joining the cast as production begins in Australia.
Amazon MGM Studios has acquired distribution rights to Bluefly, the sci-fi action thriller starring Russell Crowe and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, across major international markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia.
The agreement is part of a broader series of international sales completed by Highland Film Group as the 2026 American Film Market (AFM) takes place in Los Angeles.
The film is already in production on Australia’s Gold Coast. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis has joined the cast, with Nimród Antal directing from a screenplay by David Frigerio, William Eubank, and Carlyle Eubank.
The Russell Crowe Bluefly Amazon deal gives the production broad international distribution coverage while filming is still underway. The financial terms have not been disclosed.
Amazon Acquires Bluefly Across Major International Markets
Highland Film Group has completed international distribution agreements for Bluefly covering much of Europe and several major English-speaking markets.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired rights in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Highland also confirmed agreements with several regional distributors:
| Distributor | Territory |
|---|---|
| Amazon MGM Studios | UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and major European markets |
| Blitz Film | Former Yugoslav territories |
| Media Squad | Hungary |
| Monolith Films | Poland |
| Karpat Media | Romania |
| California Filmes | Latin America |
| Picture Works | India and airline rights |
The agreements cover all media within the territories announced.
Highland continues to represent worldwide rights to the film. A U.S. distribution agreement has not been announced.
The deal is significant because Amazon has secured a large group of markets through a single agreement, while Highland has separately negotiated distribution with regional buyers.
That approach gives the producers access to multiple international distribution partners before the film is completed.
Russell Crowe, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Michael Chiklis Lead Bluefly
A U.S. special-operations team is sent into the region to recover the aircraft and eliminate evidence of its existence.
Russell Crowe plays Benny, a former pilot with a troubled past who joins the covert operation.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas portrays Myla Reese, a United Nations interpreter whose knowledge of the region becomes essential to the mission.
Michael Chiklis plays John Broyles, the U.S. government operative leading the team.
As the group moves upriver through territory controlled by armed militias, it encounters mercenaries and oil pirates. The mission becomes increasingly dangerous when the team discovers an unexplained force hidden deep within the jungle.
Myla begins to suspect that Benny knows more about the threat than he is willing to reveal.
The film is directed by Nimród Antal, whose previous credits include Predators and Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Chiklis joins the production following his role opposite Liam Neeson in The Mongoose. He won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his performance in FX’s The Shield. His other credits include Gotham, American Horror Story, and the Fantastic Four films.
The screenplay is credited to David Frigerio, William Eubank, and Carlyle Eubank.
Bluefly Films in Queensland With Australian Production Incentives
Production is underway at Village Roadshow Studios and locations across Australia’s Gold Coast, according to Screen Queensland.
The project receives support through several government programs:
Australian Government: Location Offset
Queensland Government: Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy
Gold Coast: Gold Coast Film Commission
Invest Gold Coast: Screen Attraction Program
These programs help attract international productions to Australia and support local film industry employment.
For producers, the incentive structure is an important part of the financial picture. National and regional programs can affect where a film is produced and how much private capital is required.
However, the total amount of government support allocated to Bluefly has not been disclosed.
Crowe previously filmed Land of Bad and The Get Out in Queensland. Chopra Jonas also returned to the region after shooting The Bluff in 2025.
Screen Queensland confirmed that Highland Film Group is continuing international sales for Bluefly at AFM 2026.
Who Is Producing Bluefly?
Bluefly is produced by Michael Jefferson for Polite Society; David Frigerio and RuthAnne Frigerio for Broken Open Pictures; Deborah Glover for G2 Dispatch; Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group; Vanessa Yao Guo; and Petr Jákl.
Executive producers include Lia Buman, Guy Davies, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jason Kringstein, Katie Leary, Scott Levenson, and James Norbury.
Highland Film Group’s current slate also includes:
The Fun Lady, directed by Andy Tennant and starring Jessica Alba
Iron Jane, directed by Lisette Feliciano and starring Eiza González and Brandon Sklenar
Barracuda, directed by Neil Burger and starring Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen
The Mark, directed by Justin Chadwick and starring Jessica Alba, Tom Hopper, and Elsa Pataky
Highland represents international sales for these films as part of its broader activity in the independent film market.
What the Amazon Deal Means for Independent Film Financing
The Bluefly agreements highlight how international distribution sales can form part of an independent film’s financing strategy.
Highland first announced international presales activity for the project in August 2026, ahead of the Toronto film market. The latest deals arrive after production has begun.
In a traditional presale structure, a distributor commits to acquire rights in a defined territory. Depending on the contract, those commitments may help producers secure loans or establish expected revenue before a film is delivered.
A distribution agreement, however, does not automatically mean the producer has received the full payment.
Banks and investors generally need to know when funds are payable, what delivery requirements apply, and whether the distributor’s obligations can support financing.
The structure is similar to a developer securing signed tenants before completing a commercial building. The commitments may improve the financing case, but their value depends on the actual contracts.
For Bluefly, Highland has confirmed the territories and buyers. The announcement does not disclose the minimum guarantees, payment terms, production budget, or how much of the film’s financing is supported by presales.
Those details matter when evaluating the commercial strength of any independent production.
The film also combines international distribution agreements with Australian production support. Both may play a role in the financing plan, although no complete capital structure has been made public.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bluefly
When will Bluefly be released?
An official release date has not been announced. The film began production in Queensland, Australia, in 2026, with international distribution agreements now in place.
Will Bluefly stream on Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon MGM Studios has acquired rights in several international territories. However, the company has not announced whether Bluefly will receive theatrical releases, streaming premieres on Prime Video, or a combination of both.
Who will distribute Bluefly in the United States?
No U.S. distributor has been announced. Highland Film Group continues to handle worldwide sales, including territories that have not been identified as sold.
How do international presales help finance films like Bluefly?
A presale agreement gives a distributor rights to release a film in a specified territory under agreed contract terms. Depending on those terms, the agreement may help producers obtain financing before the film is completed.
Where is Bluefly being filmed?
The production is filming at Village Roadshow Studios and other locations on Australia’s Gold Coast. It receives support from Australian federal, Queensland state, and Gold Coast programs.
For now, the next major distribution details to watch are the film’s U.S. rights, release plans, and whether Amazon announces theatrical or streaming dates for its international territories.
