Michael Fassbender, who grew up in Killarney, is said to be reuniting with director Steve McQueen for new movie '12 Years a Slave', the third project for this burgeoning friendship. 12 Years a Slave is based on a true true story of Solomon Northrup, a free black man who was tricked into slavery. Northrup was a citizen of NYC. In 1841 he was kidnapped in Washington and sold as a slave to a cotton plantation in Louisiana. Living like a prisoner for over 10 years Northrup was then rescued in 1853.
Fassbender will take on the role of the carpenter who frees Northrup while Northrup himself will be played by Chiwetel Ejiofor (American Gangster).
Fassbender and McQueen worked together on the very well received Northern Irish story - Hunger - and also on the yet to be released Shame with Carey Mulligan, a movie that's already got people buzzing around Hollywood.
What makes this project more intriguing is that as per Deadline, Brad Pitt's name is also attached. It's unknown yet whether Pitt will take a avery active role in the movie but his production company Plan B are confirmed to produce.
If Fassbender and McQueen's recent accolades are anything to go by, their partnership on 12 Years a Slave will surely follow suit . Fassbender's recent portrayal of sex addict businessman Brandon in Shame earned him a Best Actor Award at September's Venice Film Festival while Hunger won itself six IFTAs, the Cannes Golden Camera award, a BAFTA for McQueen for most promising newcomer and EFA award of best Discovery of the year.
Production on this movie is set to begin early next year.
