Following up on last week’s news that Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy were in talks for The Wettest Country, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that not only confirms that both actors have signed on but that they will be joined by actress Jessica Chastain.
The film, to be directed by John Hillcoat, is an adaptation of Matt Bondurant’s upcoming novel, The Wettest County in the World. Based on a true story, the narrative revolves around a moonshine gang operating in the bootlegging capital of America — Franklin County, VA — during Prohibition. The novel draws its roots from Bondurant’s grandfather and two granduncles, who made up a fierce criminal gang at the center of the country’s moonshine trade.
Chastain is said to be playing the love interest to Hardy’s character.
Nick Cave wrote the screenplay for the film, which has apparently dropped the “in the World” from the title. The Wettest Country is scheduled to start shooting in the spring.
