For a while now, Steve McQueen (Shame) and Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) have been making movies together. From 2008’s Hunger, which is now in the Criterion Collection, to the NC-17 rated Shame, they’ve been garnering quite a bit of critical acclaim from the film world. Now, their new project has drawn in another big name: Brad Pitt. He’s another one that if I need to tell you what he’s been in, you need to watch more movies. Or get out from under your rock. Though I’m sure it’s a nice rock.

Anyway.

The new film, Twelve Years a Slave, is a true story based on the autobiography of a free black man named Solomon Northup tricked into slavery by a faux job offer. He is kidnapped and taken away from his wife and children, and spends twelve years being passed from owner to owner. He earns back his freedom through a Canadian carpenter, who smuggled letters to Northup’s wife and eventually gets Northup a court case. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots), one of those underrated actors who need to be in everything thank you very much, will play the role of Northup.

Fassbender’s part in the film is not yet confirmed, but Pitt will be producing the project as well as have a role. The script was written by McQueen and John Ridley (Undercover Brother). River Road will also produce and Summit International will handle sales.