Shia LaBeouf has joined the cast of God of the Rodeo, a drama set at the infamous Angola Prison in Louisiana. Rosalind Ross is attached to direct the film, which is produced by Ridley Scott.
The movie is based on reporting by Daniel Bergner concerning the prison's rodeo. It centers on Buckkey, an inmate serving a life sentence who sees the rodeo as a chance for redemption. The inmates discover the event is a brutal showcase designed for entertainment.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola, has a history dating back to the 1840s as a slave plantation. Its reputation for violence earned it the nickname the "Alcatraz of the South."
This casting follows LaBeouf's appearance in Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis earlier this year. Shia LaBeouf also appears in the upcoming crime drama Henry Johnson, directed by David Mamet, which is set to release May 9.
Ridley Scott is producing God of the Rodeo through his company Scott Free Films. Giannina Scott is also producing through Cara Films. Giannina Scott's producing credits include Concussion and House of Gucci.
Rosalind Ross previously wrote and directed the biographical drama Father Stu.
Angola's history of violence has been referenced in various cultural works over the years. Notable incidents include a 1999 riot where inmates took guards hostage.
God of the Rodeo currently has no announced release date or production start.
