EXCLUSIVE: Disrupt Entertainment has acquired all North American distribution rights to North African superhero picture Atoman ahead of an international sales push for the film at the AFM.
The Pennsylvania-based company is gearing up to rollout the picture theatrically on at least 100 screens in early 2027 through AMC Theatres and other exhibitors.
The sci-fi adventure stars French Moroccan singer, rapper and Lartiste (Youssef Akdim) alongside French actor Samy Naceri, star of the Taxi franchise, who also shared the Cannes Best Actor award with the ensemble cast of Days of Glory in 2006, as well as Sarah Perles (Sofia), and Doudou Masto (The Horde).
Disrupt Entertainment is producing new English language dubs with human actors providing the voices.
Billed as North Africa’s first homegrown superhero franchise, Atoman world premiered at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) in 2025.
Lartiste plays Hakim, an internationally renowned hacker who discovers he is a descendant of the ancient Atlanteans. When a world-destroying Astrolabe is uncovered in the Atlas Mountains, Hakim must tap into his newly discovered superhuman heritage to thwart global disaster.
Filmed entirely in North Africa, the groundbreaking film was spearheaded by director-producer Anouar Moatassim (Infiltrated).
It features a soundtrack and original score by Moroccan DJ Van combining pounding electronic rhythms, sweeping cinematic themes and contemporary North African musical influences, as well as tracks by internationally acclaimed European and Canadian artists Soprano, Mennel and Benny Adam.
Adam’s viral song from the film ‘Mok Ya Mok’ garnered millions of views and listens on the radio, online and on TikTok in 2026.
Following its world premiere at BIFFF in Brussels, the film had a limited theatrical release in France and a two-week run in Amazon France’s Top 5.
“My team and I are so happy to bring this incredible film to North American audiences,” said Disrupt Entertainment founding head Ben Yennie.
“Anouar Mutassim has created a visual masterwork that fuses high-stakes, blockbuster-caliber sci-fi action with an authentic cultural identity. This is exactly the kind of movie that brings message to the madness of genre filmmaking Disrupt was founded to amplify.”
The deal was brokered by Yennie and Alan Green of OneTwoThree Media, who will head to the AFM later this month with the film.
“Bringing Atoman to life was about proving that North Africa can deliver a globally competitive superhero story rooted in our own culture and mythology,” said Moatassim. “Disrupt Entertainment shares our passion, and both their creation of English language dubs and their large theatrical commitment for early 2027 is the perfect launchpad as we head into the energy of AFM.”
Atoman is produced by Moatassim and Aicha Kraus under their Casablanca Pictures banner. Yennie, alongside Bruce Nash of TheNumbers.com, coordinated completion funding for the film in 2025.
