Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and Gary Oldman Headline ‘Lawless’ Trailer

While Lawless assembles a string of impressive headliners such as Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hardy, and Guy Pearce, it finds its main man in Shia LaBeouf — a fact that some critics can’t seem to stop grumbling/laughing about.

But what’s wrong with Shia? He’s actually a pretty good actor (anyone remember Disney Channel’s Tru Confessions?); it just seems as if he can’t really shake his goofy Even Stevens and Megan-Fox-filled Transformers days. Will we give him a chance to rise to the occasion in Lawless?

Based on Matt Bondurant’s acclaimed historical novel The Wettest County in the World, about three brothers who made a living distilling illegal moonshine in Virginia, the period crime drama marks the second collaboration between musician/screenwriter Nick Cave and director John Hillcoat, after The Proposition.

Set for an August release in theatres, Lawless will make its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

But be sure not to get this confused with Terrence Malick’s 2013 film, Lawless, starring Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, and Natalie Portman. You know we’re chomping at the bit for a first look at that one.