Lionsgate is in talks to acquire U.S. distribution rights to the Mel Gibson thriller Blood Father, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Director Jean-Francois Richet's (Mesrine) film stars Gibson, most recently seen in this summer's Expendables 3, as an ex-con trying to protect his estranged 16-year-old daughter from drug dealers who want her dead.

Elisabeth Rohm, William H. Macy and Diego Luna co-star. Peter Craig (The Town) adapted the script from his 2005 novel.

The film, which shot in New Mexico, is produced by Why Not Productions. Rights to many international territories were sold at Cannes.