Shia LaBeouf May Star in John Hillcoat Prohibition Film

Shia LaBeouf May Star in John Hillcoat Prohibition Film

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Joe Oliveto

After releasing “The Road,” last year’s adaptation of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy, director John Hillcoat planned on turning his gloomy eyes toward a Prohibition-era movie entitled “The Wettest County in the World.” Unfortunately, perhaps due to the lukewarm reception “The Road” was greeted with, financing for the project fell through and it looked as though this would become yet another film that almost was.

Then “Boardwalk Empire” arrived, and the movie, uh, “coincidentally” got back into production.

There are surely plenty of reasons why “The Wettest County in the World” was able to find backing again, but a key factor must have been the recent success of HBO’s Atlantic City crime drama. It seems as though audiences are interested in old-school gangsters again, and studios will probably be happy to release any film that fits into the subgenre.

Cinemablend is reporting that Shia LaBeouf, who was previously attached to the film, may still be along for the ride. The young actor has been trying to branch out to more adult roles as evidenced by his appearance in this year’s sequel to “Wall Street.” Although it was initially difficult to take him seriously as a hotshot stock broker, LaBeouf ultimately delivered a convincing performance. If he finds success in this project, perhaps he can be known as more than the slightly nerdy guy from “Transformers.” Still, how many of us can imagine him as an intimidating bootlegger?

It's an interesting casting decision.

As a director, Hillcoat tends to turn in some fairly dark material and with this kind of subject matter, “The Wettest County in the World” will probably be no different. Those interested in the story may wish to read the novel by Matt Bondurant that serves as the basis for the script.

Tom Hardy is also rumored to star in the film. If all goes according to plan, production should begin in the spring.