Shia LaBeouf to Star in New Prison Film ‘God of the Rodeo’

LOS ANGELES, California

Shia LaBeouf is set to star in the new crime thriller God of the Rodeo, which is being produced by Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott through Scott Free Films. The film is directed and written by Rosalind Ross, and it is inspired by Daniel Bergner’s reporting from within Louisiana’s infamous Angola Prison.

Set in 1967, God of the Rodeo tells the story of Buckkey, a hardened inmate serving a life sentence. He discovers a chance for redemption when he participates in the prison’s first-ever inmate rodeo, only to realize that the event is a brutal gladiatorial showcase designed to entertain the prison’s warden.

LaBeouf is currently appearing in the Lionsgate film Salvable, released on May 2, which explores the life of an aging boxer struggling to reconnect with his daughter. He also stars in Henry Johnson, a feature film by David Mamet that is set to be released on May 9, focusing on moral dilemmas faced by its characters.

Rosalind Ross previously directed the biographical drama Father Stu, starring Mark Wahlberg, and has earned recognition for her script Barbarian, included in the 2016 Black List. Giannina Scott has a notable background in production, including the film Concussion, which tackled serious issues in sports.

The true story of Angola Prison has been referenced in various cultural works, highlighting its violent history. God of the Rodeo adds to this legacy by shedding light on the lives of inmates during a dark period in American history.

No release date or production start date has been announced for God of the Rodeo.