EURweb is reporting that British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has signed on to topline an adaptation of Twelve Years a Slave, an autobiography written in 1853 by Solomon Northup, a free black man who became enslaved.
Brad Pitt and his Plan B banner are producing, while Steve McQueen, who co-wrote the script with John Ridley, is directing the adaptation.
Ejiofor will play Northup, a married and educated free black man who was living in New York when two men approached him with a job offer in Washington. When he showed up in D.C., he was kidnapped and put in a slave pen, paving the way to his grueling life under numerous owners.
The book is studied for everything from its details of the slave markets that existed in D.C. to the type of food served to slaves.
Aside from the fact that the writer should put an initial in his name to distinguish himself from the late legendary and iconic actor Steve McQueen, this movie seems like it will be pretty awesome. Since Ejiofor is a fantastic actor, we know that we can look forward to a strong performance. Hopefully this vehicle will get this underappreciated actor the exposure and accolades he deserves.
Read more at EURweb.
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