Lawless (2012)

Lawless is a 2012 gangster film directed by John Hillcoat based on Matt Bondurant's 2008 novel The Wettest County in the World about his grandfather and great-uncles in Prohibition-era Franklin County, Virginia. The novel was adapted into a screenplay by Nick Cave, and the film stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke and Guy Pearce. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis: Follows the true story of the infamous Bondurant Brothers: bootlegging siblings who made a run for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia. In this epic gangster tale, inspired by true-life tales of author Matt Bondurant’s family in his novel "The Wettest County In The World," the loyalty of three brothers is put to the test against the backdrop of the nation’s most notorious crime wave.

Production Originally titled The Wettest County in The World, the film's title was briefly changed to The Promised Land, before eventually reverting back to Wettest County. Although intended to begin shooting in February 2010, it was reported in January that the project had fallen apart as a result of financing problems.

The indie studio Sony Red Wagon Entertainment decided to pick up the project. In December 2010, it was reported that LaBeouf would remain on board and Tom Hardy would step in as Forrest. Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Jason Clarke, Dane DeHaan, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman and Randall Franks also joined the cast. Filming began on February 28, 2011 in various locations near Atlanta, Georgia, including Newnan, Grantville, Haralson, LaGrange, and Carroll County's McIntosh Park.

In March 2011, Momentum Pictures and its parent company Alliance Films acquired the U.K. and Canadian distribution rights. In May 2011, the Weinstein Company bought the U.S. distribution rights, with a wide release expected.[19] In March 2012, the title was changed to Lawless. It is also being co-produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs' newest production company Revolt Films which serves under the flagship Revolt Network.

Screenwriter Nick Cave also scored the film with Warren Ellis.