Throughout his career, Paul Dano has had the fortune of working with some amazing directors. From James Mangold to Kelly Reichardt to Paul Thomas Anderson to Jon Favreau(well, he's merely ok), Dano has taken advantage of these opportunities and has become a solid addition to pretty much every film he's in. Remember when he was just the nerdy friend lusting after Elisha Cuthbert in The Girl Next Door? Seems like a lifetime ago. Now he's set to join one of the most anticipated movies of the year, with another great director and an incomparable collection of stars.
Dano will join Twelve Years A Slave, directed by Steve McQueen(Shame, Hunger) and based on Solomon Northrup's incredible 1853 memoir. The actors Dano will be surrounded by are simply out of this world: McQueen favorite, Michael Fassbender; Chiwetel Ejiafor; quick rising star Adepero Oduye(Pariah) and Brad Pitt. Holy crap. As if that wasn't enough, Northrup's story is one that's sure to draw a lot of attention, as it deals with his being kidnapped and forced back into slavery even though he was a freed man. Dano will play one of the evil slave owners. Ejiafor is set for the lead, with Pitt as the lawyer who helps set him free. Fassbender will take on one of the slave owners, with Oduye set for the role of Anne Hampton, Northrup's wife.
Somehow this film keeps sounding better and better. Filming should begin in June, so we'll possibly see it early next year? Maybe sooner? Dano will be seen next opposite his girlfriend, Zoe Kazan, in the indie comedy Ruby Sparks. [Deadline]
