First ’12 Years A Slave’ Trailer Has Oscar Contender Written All Over It

Most of the nerd universe is wrapped up in Comic-Con this week, but there is plenty happening outside the world of heroes and creatures to be excited about as well. Specifically, the brand new trailer for the upcoming Steve McQueen directed epic, 12 Years A Slave.

Starting decades before Lincoln would abolish slavery, 12 Years a Slave is based on the 1853 autobiography of Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, who was abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life. You can view the first trailer at the end of this post.

12 Years a Slave was adapted by McQueen and John Ridley. In addition to the cast of Ejiofor, Fassbender, and Pitt, the film also stars Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Garret Dillahunt, Sarah Paulson, Scoot McNairy, Ruth Negga, Alfre Woodard and Michael Kenneth Williams.

We are just beginning to dip our toes into the teasers that will soon roll out for winter releases. Based on what we have seen so far, I think it’s safe to say 12 Years A Slave is one film we will be talking about well into 2014. Comment below and let us know if you agree.

James Shotwell
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2 Responses to “First ’12 Years A Slave’ Trailer Has Oscar Contender Written All Over It”

  1. NoHumanTrafficking says:

    Grateful is too small a word after viewing the “12 Years A Slave” trailer. So many have forgotten the real definition of slavery. Such a rippingly painful reminder could not be more timely in this year in which our President gave the most powerful speech on current slavery since the Emmancipation Proclaimation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe_ud_5XTBs . More important than Oscar, this has “Legacy” written all over it for every person who was involved in it’s birth.

  2. xiaojia says:

    tinyurl.com/l3cselt