'12 Years a Slave': Exclusive Portraits of Star-Producer Brad Pitt and His Cast

'12 Years a Slave'

“There was no touchstone in my life to compare to this experience,” says Chiwetel Ejiofor (top right, with, from left, Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender), who had to spend two months after the 12 Years a Slave shoot decompressing. The quintet was photographed Sept. 6 at Soho House Toronto. Photographed by Miller Mobley.

Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment

Plan B’s executive team, from left: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Pitt. As Gardner recalls: “One thing Brad said very early was: ‘Let’s never regret anything. Let’s agree to tell stories that aren’t getting told. Let’s put our weight behind things that are having trouble.’ ” Photographed by Miller Mobley.

Michael Fassbender

Fassbender stars as Edwin Epps, the slave owner of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Photographed by Miller Mobley.

Chiwetel Ejiofor's Hesitation

Ejiofor hesitated before committing to play Slave’s Solomon Northup, afraid he couldn’t deliver everything the role required. Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.

'12 Years a Slave' Cast

Early on, American Gangster’s Chiwetel Ejiofor, a British native, signed on as Solomon; Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Paul Giamatti and Alfre Woodard all followed. Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.

Louisiana as New York

Louisiana also doubled for upstate New York, where Solomon had a family. Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.

'Hellish' Southern Heat

Director Steve McQueen (right, with his Shame star Fassbender) was concerned about the Southern heat: “The heat was hellish; it was way over 100. I thought, my God … there is no way we can continue making this film.” Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.