Twelve Years a Slave already has an amazing cast - Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Michael K. Williams (be still, my heart) and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the starring role as kidnapped slave Solomon Northup - but now, thanks to a set photo published online earlier today, it's clear that Beasts of the Southern Wild actress Quvenzhané Wallis will be a part of the film, as well. Hurray for Hushpuppy!
Wallis, 8 - who was even younger while filming Beasts of the Southern Wild - could possibly be playing Northup's daughter, based on the photo, which includes Ejiofor and actress Kelsey Scott, according to Shadow and Act. Maybe that's wild speculation, but hey, I wouldn't mind being part of that family. Wallis also joins Dwight Henry, who played her father in Beasts of the Southern Wild, in the cast (that's them together above).
There isn't much other news coming out of Twelve Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen (who also worked with Fassbender on Shame and Hunger) but you could always go ahead and read Northup's memoir to know what to anticipate. Northup's story was crazy - he was born free in New York, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in the South for 12 years - and though it's really difficult to read because how terrible and despicable it all was, that's history. And it wasn't even 200 years ago. Yay, America!
All sarcasm aside, good for Wallis. Hopefully she can keep this streak going; she certainly has the talent for it. [Shadow and Act]
