The first time I heard about this movie was when there’s news circulating about Shia LeBeouf and Tom Hardy clashing on the set and got into a bar brawl. Now, I don’t really care about what’s really going on between those two, but the movie they’re working on does sound intriguing. Formerly called The Wettest County in the World, which is a bad title but at least not as generic as this new one, is one of those movies I’d watch just for the cast! Besides the two I’ve mentioned, we’ve got Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain!
Now check out the brand new trailer:
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Hardy, LaBeouf and Jason Clarke play three brothers who find their bootlegging business under threat in Prohibition-era Franklin County, Virginia. The story is based on the true-life tales of Matt Bondurant’s own grandfather and great-uncles, who were the inspiration of the events in his novel The Wettest County in the World.
Man, that’s a pretty intense trailer! I’m guessing this’ll be a hard R like most of Hillcoat’s previous films, i.e. The Proposition, The Road. The Aussie director seems to have a penchant for the utterly dark and bleak stuff. I do like the setting in the Prohibition era, there’s something so riveting about that period and the true-story aspect of it certainly adds to the intrigue.
I think we can expect some fine performances as well as some really bad ass shoot-outs! Hardy looks like he’d steal the show here, but LaBeouf actually doesn’t look too bad. I think he gets a bad rap after Transformers like R-Patz with Twilight, but I think he’s got potential. The main draw for me are Hardy and Chastain whose career are stratospheric to say the least, as well as the two veterans Oldman and Pearce, the latter is barely recognizable here with that hideous haircut. We’ll see who’ll be chewing the scenery the most between those two.
This movie will be premiering in 2012 Cannes Film Festival this May, and the US release date is set for August 31.
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What do you think of this trailer? Will you be watching this one?
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That looks good, no release date yet? Hillcoat’s a very good director, The Proposition was great but his take on The Road stumbled a little bit.
I still wish Hillcoat cast someone other than Shia, I don’t why but I want to get in a fight with him every time I see him on the screen. Knowing he loves to get into fights, I’ll prob get my wish if I ever meet him in person. He still looks like a 15 year old boy to me.
I’ve updated the post w/ the release date, Ted. It’s coming out the end of August. Yeah, the Shia casting is a bit odd, but y’know he’s not too bad in Disturbia, but you’re right, he’s very boyish like Leo DiCaprio. He’s one of those people who don’t seem to grow up, ahah.
Whole-heartedly agree with you both about LaBeouf…
Looks intense. Definetly one to look out for
Somehow I know you’ll like this one.
Woah, that looks intense! Chastain looks beautiful, everyone looks amazing! I did not hear about Hardy and LaBeouf clashing, that’s….interesting, haha.
I think I’ll be watching this one if I can 🙂
Indeed she is! Glad to see her continuing to do great work, she’s gorgeous and talented! The brawl made some news but I don’t really pay attention to stuff like that. The movie does look good though, glad you like it Ruth!
Colour me interested!! 🙂
Glad to hear matey!
Oh, I hadn’t heard of this one. The trailer’s intense. One I’d like to see.
Glad to be the one who introduced this to you, Beth 🙂
I need to find out when it’s released in the UK!
This is one of several movies coming out in the next few months that I’m really excited about. I’d even say this one is probably up around #3 or so behind The Master, and The Dark Knight.
Which one is The Master? I have to look that up now. Yeah, this one just moved into my most anticipated list after this trailer 🙂
One of the best trailers i’ve seen this year besides Prometheus (British trailer). Disney or the makers of Total Recall 2012 can learn a thing or 2 from this…
Yeah I know, it’s an art to make such a gripping trailer!
looks amazing! Still never been too crazy about Shia as an actor, but what a cast they’ve put together!
I wasn’t either but I’ll give him a chance as he’s probably quite talented despite his movie choices. I don’t hate him as much as others do, in fact I’d watch him before I go see anything Channing Tatum does, at least he doesn’t act with his pecks, ick!
“County”, not Country 😉 But yea, love this cast except maybe for Shia although I don’t hate him like many. Gary Oldman with a Tommy gun is enough to get me in the seat lol
Ahah yeah I just realized that, fixed it in the post, thanks Castor! Like I said to Markus, I don’t hate Shia, I think he’s not as bad as people think. He does look very boyish which isn’t necessarily his fault. But yeah, Oldman w/ a Tommy gun looks sooo bad ass! 🙂
Yea I’m no Shia hater. He does seem to be the same in every movie he’s in though. Hopefully not here.
Hi, Ruth and company:
How very cool!
‘Lawless’ looks like a well detailed period piece. With a cast of well known actors and actresses delivering characters that don’t look, act or sound as we usually imagine them. In other words, a film with some meat on it. Certainly has my interest.
Kudos to Shia LeBoeuf for latching onto this film. He showed a lot of potential in ‘The Battle of Shaker Heights’. And desperately needs to get away from the curses of Indiana Jones and ‘Transformers’.
Hi Jack! Yes agree w/ your comment about this having some ‘meat’ on it. Looks great all around, I wonder if some of them will win some acting awards, maybe for Hardy or Pearce?
Glad you share my sentiment about Shia. I think if he’s wise about his movie roles, he’s a pretty good actor.
Hi, Ruth!
Hardy and Pearce have the presence and chops to make roles and characters their own. Check Nextflix for an import from the UK/Ireland, titled ‘The Take’. A four episode mini-series from 2009.
Hardy rocks as the older, thuggish, more scary of two brothers. Carrying on their father’s (Brian Cox) drug/criminal enterprise while he’s in prison. Excellent stuff!
Pearce is a chameleon in the truest sense. Handling multiple roles with a deft touch.
Awesome stuff! Guy Pearce looks incredible. His face and hair in this give him a really hard look. And what a great cast! This has just gone very high on my can’t wait to see list! Thanks for sharing!
Pearce must be using a prosthetic for his hairline to look like that. Glad you like this one, Pete!
Thanks for the trailer Ruth! I’ve never been a huge fan of the Western genre (it’s one of my cinematic shortcomings, I guess), but this one I’ll probably see because of its awards potential. It is interesting that the third brother doesn’t get a title card. Not sure whether that means he’s just not famous enough, or if (potential SPOILER, since I don’t know) he’s the guy in the coffin.
Oh I’m not either David, but I do make exceptions if I like the cast and this one included. Well I don’t even know who the third brother was, apparently he was in Public Enemies as Depp’s partner, I vaguely remember him but I’m not wowed by that one.
I am just happy the Guy Pearce is back in the mainstream doing some good stuff. Seems like 2012 may be the Summer of Pearce (among others).
The Summer of Pearce, I like the sound of that. I wish he won’t be doing stuff like The Lock Up or whatever it was called that looks like Taken in space.
Can’t see the trailer right now. I’m at my friends work, but I’ll watch the trailer today. The cast is so damn amazing!
Hi Fernando! Yes the cast is great. Let me know what you think after you watch the trailer, I think you’ll like it.
Will do!
Just watched the trailer and LOVED it! Beautiful cinematography and it looks like it’ll be so violent and dramatic! I love that.
I’ve been waiting for this one for a while. I read the book (which is odd but enjoyable) and I cannot wait to see what Hillcoat does with this film, it’s right up his alley! I personally this title and the movie did jump around from Wettest County in the World (the book title) to Wettest County before becoming Lawless (I have a theory that titles are now just meant to be generic like ‘Crime’ ). Hell they could have named this Moonshine and made it sound better. Either way, they had me at Tom Hardy!
That’s cool that you’ve read the book, must be fascinating. I just think ‘Lawless’ is so generic, there are like half a dozen titles like that already. Yes, Tom Hardy is a big draw for me as well, that guy can do any accent convincingly.
Given Hardy’s man of steel body as exhibited in Warrior I’m not too sure Shia LaBeouf should be crossing him the wrong way. I doubt it’ll be good for his health!
…not heard much about this but certainly Hardy has proven his worth recently so I’m looking forward to his new projects.
Ha..ha.. indeed Dan, it’d be stupid for anyone to go against Bane, especially someone as petite as Shia!!
Hardy is so good in everything I’ve seen him in so far so yeah, I’m in for this one.
It doesn’t look that good to me, but I will give it a shot for Oldman, Pearce and Chastain!
Yeah, I think the cast is a big draw for a lot of people. Thanks Diana.