The Toronto International Film Festival today announced that Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven” will open the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, and Peter Sarsgaard, “The Magnificent Seven” will have its World Premiere on September 8 at Roy Thomson Hall.

“We are pleased to welcome acclaimed filmmaker Antoine Fuqua back to the Festival, and have been proud to present audiences with his feature films including Training Day and The Equalizer,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “Fuqua has delivered an exciting character-driven film on a grand scale, while putting his own unique spin on the genre making for a thrilling opening night.”

“Fuqua’s ability to effortlessly blend visceral action and the emotion of drama is what makes him such a compelling storyteller, and this film is no exception,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival. “With an incredible ensemble cast who deliver commanding performances, our audience is certainly in for a ride.”

“This will be my third time bringing a film to Toronto, and having The Magnificent Seven selected as the opening night film is a true honour,” said director Antoine Fuqua. “I can’t think of a better place, or a better crowd for the film’s World Premiere.”

With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, led by Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers, and hired guns — Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel GarciaRulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money. The screenplay is by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. The film is produced by Roger Birnbaum and Todd Black.

“The Magnificent Seven” is presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures.

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2016. Purchase Festival ticket packages online 24 hours a day at tiff.net/tickets.