One of the most anticipated films that will be released in 2013, "Twelve Years A Slave", has just begun production in New Orleans.
"Twelve Years A Slave", is an adaption of the Solomon Northup memoir, originally published in 1853.
Even though the subject matter makes me cringe a bit, that goes for any film about slavery, I was very much intrigued by the A-list entree of superb actors, producers and the director on board for the project.
In addition, these stories must be told. It happened... it's history.
Michael Fassbender
Brad Pitt
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ruth Negga
Michael Kenneth Williams
Garret Dillahunt
Lupita Nyong'o
Alfre Woodard
Even though the production has literally just begun and is in the early stages, the project is getting great buzz already and it will continue to get major buzz as it progresses.
The fabulously amazing director Steve McQueen, [Hunger, Shame] is the director for the slave drama "12 Years A Slave".
The powerhouse attachments to the film just keep getting better. They ain't playing!
The uber talented and oustanding actor Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt and Chiwetel Ejiofor are starring in "Twelve Years", and with the great additions that continue to be added to the cast, makes this film already on par for Oscar talk.
Cast includes Alfre Woodard, Ruth Negga, Lupita Nyong'o, Adepreo Oduye, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Scoot McNairy and more.
From leads to supporting, the cast is off the chain.
Via Deadline:
Michael Kenneth Williams has been added to the cast of Twelve Years A Slave. The actor joins Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Brad Pitt in the Steve McQueen-directed film.
Raising Hope‘s Garret Dillahunt, Paul Dano and SNL’s Taran Killam are also in Twelve Years.
Williams, best known for playing Chalky White on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Omar Little on The Wire, will play “Robert,” a mutinous slave in Twelve Years.
The film is an adaptation of Solomon Northup’s 1853 book about a free black man who is drugged and dragged to the South to be sold into slavery.
New Regency is backing the film. River Road and Plan B are producing. Twelve Years A Slave is filming in New Orleans. Williams is repped by The Collective and attorney Elsa Ramo.
Via The Hollywood Reporter:
Woodard joins director Steve McQueen's period movie, which also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, and Michael Fassbender.
Alfre Woodard will join the cast of Twelve Years a Slave, the New Regency film being produced by Plan B and River Road.
Brad Pitt to Produce Drama 'Twelve Years a Slave' With Steve McQueen Directing The film is being directed by Steve McQueen (Shame, Hunger) and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender.
Based on an autobiography written in 1853 by Solomon Northup, a free black man who became enslaved, the script tells how Northup (Ejiofor) was kidnapped and put in a slave pen, paving the way for a grueling life under numerous owners.
Woodard will play Mistress Shaw, a former slave who has risen in the Southern caste system.
Lupita Nyong'o also is joining the cast and will play a slave who is the object of both the affections and cruelty of Master Epps (Fassbender).
The Twelve Years cast also includes Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano and Sarah Paulson.
An Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actress, Woodard recently co-starred on TV’s Memphis Beat and Three Rivers. Her stint on True Blood last year earned her 16th Emmy nomination. She is repped by ICM Partners, D/F Management and Stankevich/Gochman.
Side Note: Oscar nominations in the future for "12 Years A Slave"? We will have to wait and see, but, I think.... oh yes indeedy!
Can't wait to see this Masterpiece when it's completed.. no pun intended.
Although I will have to consume a glass of wine, to prepare myself, before I watch Michael Fassbender play a ruthless slave master.
Fassbender, gives stellar performances in everything he does. So, I expect nothing short of brilliance in this performance as well.
Ahhh hell, imma have to sneak the whole dang bottle of wine in the theater. Oh wells. LOL
Can't say the same for the western slave film "Django Unchained".
Of course I'll watch to support Jamie Foxx, Samuel Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and director, Quentin. Praying the actual film in it's entirety happens to be better than the cheesy trailer. Sighs.
[UPDATE] - 'Django Unchained', was actually a good film. Just goes to show never judge a movie based on a bad trailer.
