Michael K. Williams has boarded Steve McQueen's mid-1800's drama 12 Years a Slave. Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Brad Pitt are already attached to star.

The film is based on the autobiography of Solomon Northrup, who was kidnapped in Washington DC and wrongfully enslaved after being born a free man. The film follows him as he works on a Louisiana cotton plantation until his rescue 12 years later.

Michael K. Williams is playing Robert, a mutinous slave.

The actor has also been seen on HBO's Boardwalk Empire and The Wire.

The project began production 2 weeks ago in New Orleans.