Based on Northup's experiences as a free black man who was kidnapped in New York in 1841 and sold into slavery in Louisiana, the project had been rumored for several weeks as considering Louisiana as a shooting site. That was confirmed today (May 4) with its inclusion on the latest state-issued listing of film and TV projects shooting, or preparing to shoot, in-state. (See the full list below, along with contact information for prospective crew members.)
It is scheduled to shoot in New Orleans for 7 weeks, beginning June 27.
In "Twelve Years a Slave," first published in 1853, Northup describes how he was kidnapped by two men, then drugged, bound and sold in a slave auction on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
For the next 12 years, Northup was forced to work as a slave in the Red River area of northern Louisiana. His book outlines the horrifying conditions.
Thee-time Golden Globe nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Children of Men," "American Gangster") is lined up to play Northup in the film, to be co-produced by New Regency Pictures, River Road Entertainment and Pitt's Plan B Entertainment.
Pitt will co-star in the film, as will Michael Fassbender ("Shame"), although it hasn't been announced what roles they will play.
It marks the first time local homeowner Pitt has returned to the city for a film project since shooting director Andrew Dominik's "Killing Them Softly" (previously "Cogan's Trade") in early 2011. Other New Orleans-shot projects on his resume include 2008's Oscar-nominated "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and 1994's "Interview with the Vampire."
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